Loch Lomond and the Trossachs has joined six other National Parks in northern Europe to help deliver projects that test more sustainable modes of transport and innovative new technology.  The purpose is to encourage less damaging ways of visiting and enjoying the more sensitive areas within National Parks and is part of a European-funded project, known as MoPark (Mobility in National Parks).

As part of this project Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority is looking for groups to help try out Scotland's first solar-electric powered boat and also try out different ways for passengers to learn about Loch Lomond and its islands using an interpretive journey that follows a route around the islands and provides various levels of knowledge about the plants, animals, geology and history, using the boat almost as a floating classroom.  The project will compare a traditional leaflet with a more high tech approach by which people see and hear information on a small hand held IT device (PDA or Personal Digital Assistant).

The Authority is also testing interpretation on the island of Inchcailloch, part of the Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve and is looking for individual volunteers to not only try out the journey, but also to help monitor the use of the PDAs on the island and talk to visitors.

If you want to be considered for either trial, please contact National Park HQ, tel 01389 722600 or email info@lochlomond-trossachs.org.