THE sun shone on the 40 volunteers who turned out recently to take part in a very successful Make a Difference Day on West Loch Lomondside.

The clean-up event was organised by conservation charity, the Friends of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs with support from the National Park Authority.

The volunteers made a real difference by opening up views that had become lost due to overgrown vegetation and clearing over 100 bags of litter from bramble bushes on the lochside between Luss and Inverbeg.

This was part of the Friends' long-term “Windows on the Loch’’ project to maintain views of Loch Lomond and complemented the lay-by litter bin pilot project that the Friends successfully introduced this summer.

READ MORE: Lay-by bins pilot hailed 'a great success' in reducing Loch Lomond litter

John Urquhart, the Friends’ vice-chair, said: “With nesting long finished and the leaves going off the brambles, early November is a good time to carry out this kind of work and to get sunshine too was a real bonus which meant the volunteers were able to get more done in pleasant conditions.”

Jennifer Plunkett, the Friends’ new project officer, who coordinated the event, said: “This was the first time the Friends have been able to undertake an event of this nature since the Government’s relaxation of Covid combatting measures and it was really heartening to get such a good turnout including such good representation from the business community who have come through a torrid time over the past two years.’’

Volunteers from a wide area took part in the event and they were joined by staff and volunteers from Cruise Loch Lomond, Luss Estates, Terrenus Land and Water, Scottish Water and the National Park.