Inverbeg Raft Race

With the busy summer season drawing to a close, Inverbeg Holiday Park played host to an end of season fun day. The afternoon kicked off with children's events and followed by the hotly contested Inverbeg Raft race.

Luss Estates Plays host to 250 School Children

Over 250 pupils from local schools took the classroom to the countryside this week to learn about Food and Farming.  The two-day educational visit was organised by The Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET), in co-operation with Luss Estates and members of the local agricultural community.

Tighness Footpath

 

Luss Estates employees spent the best part of a week repairing the Tighness footpath near Arrochar. This is part of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park core path network and had been damaged by machinery during timber operations in 2010. The path has now been repaired and some additional seats have been added for walkers to rest and take in the spectacular views of Loch Long and the Arrochar Alps to the west.

 

Some of Scotland's most iconic and picturesque pathways have been formally recognised in a map charting over 455 miles of paths in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. The Core Paths map features horse, cycle, dog walking, community, circular and nature lover paths and includes the long distance route the West Highland Way. The Tighness path links the village of Arrochar to the surrounding path network running above the village, running parallel to the West Highland Railway line for some distance.

Luss Games - 2nd July

Loch Lomond's oldest traditional Highland games return to Luss on Saturday July 2^nd 2011 continuing a tradition dating back to 1875.

Inveraray & District Pipe Band will kick off proceedings as they march from Luss Pier to the Games Field, before the varied programme of events, competitions and entertainment commences.

The Games will also be a special day for the Clan Colquhoun, one of the oldest in Scotland. Every year members from across the world descend on Luss as their Chieftain ‘gathers' the clan before officially announcing the games open.　

Luss Primary School Saved

Luss School has been saved for the foreseeable future! Argyll & Bute Council announced that, in light of the comments made by the education secretary, Michael Russell, all school closures have been stopped. The decision was taken at the council meeting on June 14 where members agreed to stop the consultation process. The decision comes following advice, given by the cabinet secretary for education and lifelong learning, to the Scottish Parliament, on Thursday 9 June, that the current schools consultation legislation is "defective."

Luss Clears Loch Lomond Litter

Luss Estates Company have agreed to help tackle the litter problem on the western banks of Loch Lomond. They have teamed up with Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park with a litter picking project worth £10,000 over the year.

Luss Estates employees will be picking litter from the fields and lay-bys along the stretch of the A82 from Bandry Bay to Inverbeg, including the notorious Suie Field. 

Royal Wedding Tea Party

The Owners and guests staying at Inverbeg Holiday Park entered into the Royal Wedding spirit with a tea party. With a 4-day holiday weekend, the Park was full and owners and guests of all ages. Everyone was able to enjoy the start of the season with sunny weather and holiday atmosphere.

May 2011

Letter to Herald re Primary School

Sir Malcolm Colquhoun's letter to Councillor Morton is published in The Herald. This follows the decision by Argyll and Bute Council to keep Luss Primary School on the closure list.

Click here to read Sir Malcolm's letter in full.

May 2011

West Highland Railway Lines

Luss Estates have given Friends of the West Highland Lines permission to clear the trees along the sides of the railway at Arrochar to improve the views through the Arrochar-Tarbet corridor.

March 2011

Helensburgh & Lomond Highland Games

Luss Estates was delighted to come to the help of the Helensburgh & Lomond Highland Games, who were looking for an alternative venue for the Games this year.

The Games will now take place on Saturday 4th June 2011 at the Empress Field, next to the Ardencaple Hotel, Rhu.

Proposed Closure of Luss Primary School

Luss Estates is extremely concerned to learn of Argyll & Bute Council's proposed closure of Luss Primary School. For generations this excellent school has been at the heart of our community, not merely in educating our children but also in significantly contributing to, and facilitating, the very identity of the village and surrounding area.

We appreciate that economic challenges may necessitate difficult decisions. However, as the founding Principals of two very successful schools in London, my wife and I are all too aware of the true role a school plays in the development of children, their families and the wider community. 

As a significant employer and landlord within the catchment area, we recognise the unique value of Luss Primary to the future viability of Luss, both in commercial and community terms.  And as residents of Luss, we know of the widespread concern and alarm this has caused many of our friends, neighbours and colleagues whose own children will be directly affected. Put simply, Luss Primary School is essential to the continued strength and well-being of our community which, if this closure is implemented, will cease to be a community in any recognisable sense. It will become extremely difficult to attract families with young children to come and live in the village, thus exacerbating the aging demographic which is acknowledged by the authorites to be a significant problem.

We are therefore strongly opposed to the threatened closure of Luss Primary School, and urge Argyll & Bute Council to reconsider their plans.

Sir Malcolm Colquhoun                                                               10th November 2010

http://friendsoflussprimary.webs.com/

Major Rennovations Underway at Iconic Hotel

One of Scotland's most iconic and historic hotels is to undergo a £1.2m refurbishment and renovation programme.

Work is now underway at The Colqhuhoun Arms which has been welcoming visitors to the village of Luss on Loch Lomond for at least two centuries, including the likes of William and Dorothy Wordsworth, as well as fans of the Scottish 1980s telelvision soap Take the High Road.

In phase one, mid twentieth century extenstions will be demolished, making way for new kitchens, whilst the historic main wing of the building is being upgraded throughout with 12 stylish, comfortable bedrooms, a new restaurant and bar area and a smart reception lounge. The work is on schedule to be completed this winter, with Phase 2 plans - including bespoke guest lodges - due to commence in 2011/12. The hotel is also to be rebranded as The Loch Lomond Arms.

The renovation and restoration work follows the return last year of the hotel's management back into the hands of Luss Estates.

"The hotel is at the heart of Luss, a village welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, and we aim to create a warm, welcomimg and most importantly quality environment for our guests to enjoy, whether they are staying a night or two or visiting us for a meal," says Sir Malcolm Colquhoun. "Whilst under tenancy, the hotel has suffered for many years from a systematic lack of investment, and despite the best efforts of the staff, the facilities really have not been at the level they should have been. The investment by Luss Estates will address this, transforming what was a rather neglected village inn into a quality small hotel with excellent accomodation as well as bar and restaurant facilities, thus security its position at the heart of the village and the community for generations to come."

London-based architect Michael Brooke is working with well known interior designer Serena Williams-Ellis to create a timeless and classic style for the Loch Lomond Arms, reflecting the building's rich history whilst introducing contemporary comforts throughout.

8 October 2010

 

Another successful Highland Games

July has also seen yet another successful Luss Highland Games, drawing thousands of visitors to the village to enjoy a day of traditional ‘heavy' competitions, dance, music, sports and fun. Once again, Sir Malcolm Colquhoun of Luss was delighted to undertake the ceremonial duties of Clan Chieftain throughout the Games.
The weekend also saw the return of many Colquhouns from across the world to their ancestral homelands for the Clan Gathering. Thanks must go to George Kirkpatrick of the Clan Society for arranging an informative and enjoyable weekend for all.

Barclays Scottish Open

The eyes of the world were once again upon Luss Estates this month as the Barclays Scottish Open unfolded on the fairways and greens at magnificent Loch Lomond Golf Club, which leases its lands and clubhouse, Rossdhu, from the Estates. Whilst the weather was typically changeable, the four day television coverage beamed across the planet certainly did justice to our magnificent scenery. Congratulations to Italy's Edoardo Molinari on his victory and to the organisers and volunteers who make this such a special event on the European Tour year after year