Visitors get a handle on village geology
Stony silence at boulder is broken by audio point
A new and innovative audio installation is helping visitors to Balmaha learn more about the area.
It was gifted by resident Joe Twaddle and is located near the boulder that forms the focal point of a rest area beside the visitor centre car park.
People who stop there can take advantage of a self-powered audio point allowing them to select a topic of interest, turn a handle and listen to information on their chosen topic.
The main feature is an educational narration of the geological origins of the boulder and surrounding area – told from the boulder’s point of view.
It is based on a script by John Urquhart and available in English, Gaelic, French, German and Spanish, all translated and voiced by residents and friends.
The English version of the boulder story is narrated by Joe’s wife Betty, the Gaelic version by Chrissie Bannerman, German by Thosten Hesse, French by Brian Prosser and Spanish by Ada Tebeni.
Other topics – scripted and narrated by musician Dave Arcari who also produced the audio recordings for the project – include the Highland Boundary Fault, things to do in the area and information about water life in the loch.
Audio hardware for the device was sourced via Black Box AV and installed by Sandy Fraser and his team of Willie Kirkland, Graham Scott and Paul Kott who have been instrumental in the overall development of the former toilet block site.
Joe, who runs Passfoot Bed and Breakfast in Balmaha with his wife Betty, originally came to live in the area 50 years ago to work at the University Field at Rowardennan and served as secretary of Buchanan Community Council for 37 years before standing down in 2016.
His work included contributing to a number of successful initiatives including sensitive wood extraction and haulage from the area; working with the National Park Authority on the introduction of camping byelaws; securing the former toilet block site in the centre of Balmaha for a village green improvement scheme and campaigning for much needed affordable housing in the village.
On picking up an award for his efforts last year, Joe said: “East Loch Lomond has been part of most of my life and helping to keep it beautiful as part of Scotland’s first National Park is a pleasure to me.”