Conservation charity hails Mary’s 58 years of community work

The Friends of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs recently presented the Hannah Stirling National Park Lifetime Achievement Award to Arrochar resident Mary Haggarty.

The award was given by the Friends in recognition of Mary’s hard work, commitment and outstanding service over 58 years in a variety of voluntary youth, community and heritage roles in the Arrochar and Tarbet area.

There are very few aspects of community life and projects Mary has not been involved in through her activities as a youth club leader, secretary of the community council, chair of the local heritage group, a member of the community campus group and many other groups trying to improve local facilities and services for residents and visitors.

The Hannah Stirling National Park Lifetime Achievement Award was established by the Friends in 2015 in honour of its late former president.

Mary said: “I was delighted to receive this prestigious award from the Friends and it came as a complete surprise that my efforts on behalf of my local community over many years were recognised in this way.

"Having met with Hannah on the volunteer circuit locally over 50 years ago and many times since I was deeply touched to receive this award in her memory.’’

The Friends, the independent conservation and heritage charity for the National Park area, also recognised the work of Strachur resident Evie Campbell for her contribution to the Lauder Cowal connections and Lauder Monument restoration programme over the last few years, and presented the National Park Business Supporter of the Year award to Forest Holidays for their community and youth engagement initiatives at their sites at Ardartan and Strathyre and beyond.