Loch Katrine leads way, says MSP

Loch Katrine was cited in the Scottish Parliament last week as an example of how Scotland’s natural resources can benefit the country.

Stirling MSP Bruce Crawford also focused on the contribution the constituency as a whole makes to the country’s water resources during a debate on the future of Scottish Government’s Hydro Nation programme

He said:“The loch is famously the water source for one of Scotland’s most widely- consumed pints: Tennent’s lager. Loch Katrine’s contribution to the local area does not stop at its impressive supply of quality consumable water; it is also an attraction for tourists from around the globe.

“The SS Sir Walter Scott steamboat has provided sailings on the loch for 117 years and it is still a huge hit with visitors.

“Loch Katrine is an incredible asset to the local community. It encourages visitor support to local businesses and is a perfect example of a natural water resource being used to further the economic potential of the surrounding area.”

Mr Crawford also pointed to the abundance of hydro-electric power schemes in the Stirling constituency — with Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park alone being home to 44 approved hydro schemes, with 35 currently in operation.

He commented:“The Stirling area’s relationship with our water resources is an inspiration to the rest of the country. With Loch Katrine that first began to be utilised almost two centuries ago to address the public health crisis in Glasgow city at the time, to now providing a quality water supply to hundreds of thousands of people across the area.

“Our record on hydro schemes is a huge achievement — the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park’s output in power cultivated from hydro schemes is enough alone to power almost half of the homes in this constituency.”