REGIONAL REPORT: DUNBARTONSHIRE
http://www.insider.co.uk March 2020 INSIDER 91
including 28 spectacular suites.
“The extension will also allow us to
increase the number of weddings, functions
and guests we’re able to accommodate at
Cameron House, and we’re confident these
improvements will have a significant positive
impact on the local economy.”
Cameron House is investing £17.5m in
the extension, which has been developed
by architects 3DReid, closely supported
by principal designer Thomson Gray,
interior designer Greyline Design, and Hirst
Landscape Architects.
While the Cameron House developments
were given the go-ahead, the Loch Lomond
and Trossachs National Park Authority
recommended its board reject a plan for
a £30m tourist resort on Loch Lomond.
Flamingo Land formally withdrew
the application for the Lomond Banks
development in September after more than
55,000 objections had been lodged. The
proposals included a 60-bedroom apart-hotel,
a 32-bedroom budget accommodation, a craft
brewery, boathouse and leisure centre.
But the return of Cameron House is not
the only positive development for tourism in
the area. David Adams McGilp, VisitScotland
regional director, said: “2020 is shaping to be a
big year for tourism businesses across East &
West Dunbartonshire, particularly as Scotland
celebrates its Year of Coasts and Waters with a
year-long programme of events and activities.
“The River Town of Dumbarton connects
Loch Lomond with the Clyde by the river
Leven. In June an exciting festival of music,
arts and recreational events will run over
four days to celebrate how water shaped this
historic town, from distilling to shipbuilding.
Supported by a £20,000 award from Year of
Coasts and Waters 2020 events fund, this
event will bring visitors from across Scotland
and beyond to Dumbarton so it is imperative
the town and area’s tourism industry come
together to ensure the event is a success,
stimulating the local economy and helping
businesses to grow.
“I am working with East Dunbartonshire
Council, Business Gateway and tourism
officers in the area on a dynamic events
programme and there are opportunities for
events across the region like Kirkintilloch
Canal Festival to partner with YCW2020.
“Clydebuilt Festival will return to West
Dunbartonshire and Glasgow for its fourth
year in September. The Castle to Crane race
starts at Dumbarton Castle and makes its way
along the River Clyde to Finnieston Crane,
creating an exciting opportunity for the area
to showcase its offering from the water and
for local businesses to accommodate the
many spectators.” ■COMMENT
Iain McLaren
Convener for Infrastructure,
Regeneration & Economic
Development
West Dunbartonshire
Council
W: west-dunbarton.gov.ukRegeneration boost helps all
our communities
The John Brown shipyard was at the heart of our
community for so many years, so it is really great
to see our regeneration of the site bringing it
back to life in such a meaningful and useful way
for our residents.
The transformation at Queens Quay, which
when complete will boast over 1,000 homes,
health and leisure facilities, as well as office
and retail space and a riverside walkway, make
Clydebank a very attractive prospect indeed
and the town is sure to see the benefits of this
project for years to come.
West Dunbartonshire Council is also leading
the way with our District Heating Network. Not
only will the network make a major contribution
towards the Council’s climate change targets, it
will also allow residents to enjoy lower bills with
a system that requires far less upkeep than a gas
boiler and reduce their carbon footprint.
Queens Quay is one of the most significant
regeneration projects in west central Scotland,
and the long-term impacts are transformational
for Clydebank and West Dunbartonshire.
Delivering the masterplan is well under way,
with a new care home due for completion
this summer, Clydebank Health Centre onsite
and the first phases of over 1,100 new homes
advancing. Queens Quay will be powered by a
district heating system, generating heat from
the River Clyde. Development of the Council-
owned energy centre will be complete
this summer.
Dumbarton our other major town has
many natural assets, its skyline is dominated
by the impressive Rock and Castle. The
Dumbarton2020 festival is planned for
4 June 2020 covering four days of community
events to celebrate this historic town. West
Dunbartonshire opened its multi-award
winning offices in Church Street, representing
more than £15m of investment in the heart of
the town centre and the relocation of Council
staff has already reaped benefits for high
street businesses.IN FOCUS: CHAS
WEST Dunbartonshire sparked headlines with the
news of one of the biggest single philanthropic
gestures in Scotland in recent years. Peter
Armitage, a former fund manager with Capital
International, and his family gave the Ardoch
Estate in West Dunbartonshire to Children’s
Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).
The Armitages decided to close the Foundation
that they had run as a social enterprise on the site
and transfer its 18-bedroom conference centre,
event space, cottages and 133 acres of beautifulcountryside overlooking Loch Lomond to CHAS.
The Armitage family also gave £1m to CHAS to
help with the transfer.
The site will add to the work that CHAS already
does in the area at nearby Robin House to care
for children with life-shortening conditions. The
charity said that the potential uses of the new
site are as a respite holiday base for families of
children cared for in CHAS hospices, as a training
centre for palliative carers and a commercial
concern to raise income for the charity.CHAS CEO Rami Okasha and outgoing
CEO Maria McGill at Ardoch Estate on
the banks of Loch Lomond