Aim: To investigate impact of tourism on Loch Lomond Shores.

Knowledge + Understanding: In 1872 Yellowstone National Park was established as the

United States of America’s first National Park and since then over 4000 national parks have
opened worldwide. The founders of the National Park service were Theodore Roosevelt,
Stephen Mather, Woodrow Wilson and Horace M. Albright. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
National Park is one of the biggest in the United Kingdom at 1,865 square kilometres (720
square miles) and has a boundary length of 320 kilometres (720 miles). 50 percent of
Scotland’s population live within an hour’s drive of the National Park and over 15,000
people live in the National Park which is ideal so that the Nation Park can be fully staffed. A
2011 census found that 15,168 people live in the National Park. A National Park is an area of
countryside or occasionally sea or fresh water, protected by the state for the enjoyment of
the general public or the preservation of wildlife. There are 21 Munroe in the National Park,
the tallest of which is Ben More at 1,174 meters. A Munro is a mountain above 3,000 feet.
There are 20 Corbetts. A Corbett is a mountain between 2,500ft and 3,000ft. There are 22
larger lochs, with numerous smaller lochs and lochans, and about 50 rivers and large burns.
A loch is an arm of the sea, especially when narrow or partially landlocked. A burn is a small
stream. The National Park contains one of the UK’s largest National Nature Reserves called
The Great Trossachs Forest. The Great Trossachs Forest is a huge landscape-scale woodland
restoration project involving RSPB, Forestry Commission Scotland and Woodland Trust.
Research Methods: The first research method I used was a visitor survey. I thought this
would be effective as it would tell me about the tourists and what they thought of the area.
I asked them about their mode of transport, where they came from and what they thought
of the litter among other questions. A visitor survey is effective as you can gather a lot of
information in a short space of time. The information can then be put into graphs and tables
so the information can be easily shown and compared. However when taking out the visitor
survey there were problems involving language barriers which could affect the accuracy of
the results.
The second research method I used was Key facts section on the Loch Lomond and the
Trossachs official website at https://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/discover-the-park/key-
facts/. I thought this would be effective as it would tell me information about the area
including area sizes and population figures. Using an official website is effective because you
know all the information is accurate and well researched.
Research findings and analysis: Graph A shows the way tourists travelled to Loch Lomond
Shores. Out of 67 people, the most common way of travel was car at 55%. The least used
way of travel was cycle at only 6% (a difference of 49% compared to travelling by car). The
other ways of travel was either coach at 30% or walk at 9%. The impact of this is of air
pollution which impacts the environment and the heath of people and animals.
Graph B shows tourists at Loch Lomond Shore's normal place of residence. Out of 67
people, the most common place of residence was Central Scotland at 37 people. The least
common place of residence was other at only 3 people (a difference of 34 people compared
to Central Scotland). The other places of residence were either Other Scotland at 15,
England at 6 and Mainland Europe at 7. This shows that Loch Lomond Shores is much more
accessible to people from Central Scotland compared to people from other places such as
England and Mainland Europe.
Graph C shows how many tourists thought litter was a problem at Loch Lomond Shores. Out
of 67 people, the most common answer was No at 52%. The least common answer was
some parts with 14% (a difference of 38% compared to No). The other option was Yes at
34%. This shows that litter is becoming a problem in the area as over a third of people
thought it was a problem but over half of people thought it wasn’t a problem which shows
things may be getting put in place to prevent litter problems.
Graph D shows how many people were in a tourist's party at Loch Lomond Shores. Out of 67
people, the most common amount of people in a party was 1 to 2 people at 30 times. The
least common amount of people in a party was 3 to 7 people at 17 times (a difference of 13
times compared to 1 to 2). The other option was 8+ people at 20 times. This shows more
people are starting to go long travels in large groups which could prevent pollution.
Graph E shows how often tourists said they visit Loch Lomond Shores. Out of 67 people, the
most common answer was annually and weekly at 18. The least common answer was
monthly with 15 (a difference of 3 compared to the top 2). The other option was One off
visit at 16. This shows Loch Lomond is giving a good impact on tourists and attracting back
tourism.