The Loch Ken Trust has launched its first ever education and community events programme.
The series has been made possible thanks to cash from the Scottish Government’s Rural Communities Ideas into Action Fund which is delivered by Inspiring Scotland to encourage and support innovative approaches to community-led local development across Scotland.
The Loch Ken Ranger Service will be holding four events around the loch and also delivering workshops to local schools. The money will also help fund a canoe and associated gear to help the ranger service.
Ranger Ken Scott said: “This fantastic award has given us an exciting opportunity to engage with our local communities and schools, introducing the principles of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, and encouraging children to explore their own thoughts and experiences of Loch Ken, planting the seeds for the next generation of loch users and guardians.”
There will be two community events – on Saturday, March 19 and Tuesday, March 22 – encouraging people how to “leave no trace”.
Ken will be joined by freelance ranger Elizabeth Tindal for a free and fun way to learn about good and bad things to do around the loch and how to leave no trace of fires, tents and even going to the toilet outdoors.
And on the evenings of March 24 and 25 there will be events offering the chance to enjoy the darkness and stars. Ken and Elizabeth – who is a Biosphere Dark Skies Ranger – will reveal some of the great places around the loch to view the stars.
That will include a night-time walk to where the views are best and a chance to find out
about the myths and science behind the stars and constellations.
Weather permitting, there will also be a campfire and marshmallows to roast.
Elizabeth said: “I love getting out when it is dark and sharing stories and the special atmosphere that you get being out in the dark.
“There are some wonderful dark spaces round Lock Ken and we should make the most of them.”
The events are free but places must be booked for the darkness and stars events.
This can be done by searching www.eventbrite.co.uk for darkness and stars or more information can be found at www.lochken.org.uk.
The trust is also developing educational resources for school pupils so that the ranger service can work with younger generations to help them learn to enjoy their local environment in a safe, responsible way.
