PLANS to encourage yachts and other leisure craft to visit Arrochar have taken a major step forward thanks to an £84,000 grant in support of the project.

The Garfield Weston Foundation has awarded the money to the Loch Long Jetty Association for the construction of a new pontoon in the village.

The award completes the funding package for the scheme after previous pledges of financial support from the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and the Hannah Stirling Loch Lomond Charitable Trust.

Construction of the pontoon is expected to begin next spring.

Dawn Gourlay, secretary of the association, said: “Arrochar is situated in a beautiful location at the head of Loch Long, surrounded by the picturesque Arrochar Alps, and is located on the main trunk roads to the west of Scotland and the Western Isles.

“Many private yachts and chartered vessels sail up Loch Long every year, but with no pontoon or visitor moorings they are currently unable to safely moor and come ashore, to visit the village and explore the surrounding area.

“By providing these facilities it will also allow us to hold community led initiatives such as an annual triathlon and raft race, which will help to enhance community spirit and benefit small businesses in the village.”

Philippa Charles, the Foundation’s director, added: “What really impressed our Trustees is the amount of volunteering and community involvement that’s going on across the UK. We heard about so many amazing projects involving local people who are helping their communities thrive - regardless of cuts, Brexit debates and other challenges.

“The response from charities to this new fund clearly demonstrates the voluntary sector is proactive and energetic; far from the complacency it is sometimes accused of.

“Yet we can also see the level of need that exists in our local communities and how much the services charities provide are so desperately needed.

"The impact of these grants will be significant, with benefits for many people lasting years.”