Balloch Pierhead – Improvement Action Plan
Balloch Pierhead - Improvement Action Plan
Balloch Pierhead Improvement Action Plan
The Balloch Pierhead Improvement Action Plan has been developed following engagement with local communities, groups who use the area, landowners, businesses and partners over the last six months. It also draws on previous consultation on opportunities to make Balloch a better place for visitors, residents and businesses, which recommended actions to improve the pier area.
At its heart, this approach promotes sustainable growth by prioritising people, nature, and heritage, preserving the site’s distinctive natural and cultural setting while supporting its future potential. Throughout the process, the multi-disciplinary team has worked collaboratively to champion a place-based approach rooted in local identity and shared aspirations.
The aim of the new Action Plan is to set out a future vision for the Pierhead, help to attract investment in the area, and be used to guide planning decisions for the site in the years to come.
Site History, Context & The Site Today
Balloch Pierhead has a history of railway stations, steamer services, and tourism. Balloch lies at the south end of Loch Lomond where the River Leven exits the loch before taking its short journey to the River Clyde at Dumbarton. Balloch became an important gateway to Loch
Lomond during the 1800s, when many steamers operated on the loch. In 1850 the railway reached Balloch, and continued right to a station built alongside the newly completed Balloch Pier on the loch.
Today the railway stops in Balloch itself, and for a time in the 1970s and 1980s the demise of the traditional steamer services suggested that Balloch might actually turn its back on the lochside area altogether. Thankfully this never quite happened. The last steamer in service on Loch Lomond, the Maid of the Loch, which had been left to rot at Balloch Pier in 1981, was restored to become a static attraction during the 1990s, and the eventual aim is to return it to service on the loch.
The resurgence of the lochside area continued when, in 2002, the Loch Lomond Shores development right on the shore of Loch Lomond opened its doors with a range of shopping and other attractions, including the National Park Gateway Centre.
The Balloch Pierhead site is an integral part of the broader Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, a landscape renowned for its stunning natural beauty and exceptional biodiversity. This area, which includes Loch Lomond’s islands and its varied shoreline, forms a key element of Scotland’s natural heritage.
Balloch Pierhead Today
The site contains a diverse and complex mix of land uses, which have been considered under two key categories:
Functional Uses
The site supports a range of operational functions, the most prominent being the Registration Office, a purpose-built facility housing boat registration services, public WCs, and storage. Adjacent to this is the slipway, which provides a safe launching point for private boats accessing Loch Lomond. Other key functional elements include trailer storage, general storage areas, and vehicle parking. The site also features the existing dry dock and slipway where the Maid of the Loch is berthed for restoration, alongside the Winch House, which plays a vital role in the boat’s ongoing maintenance.
Experiential Uses
Located near Balloch Town Centre and Loch Lomond Shores, the site attracts a range of visitors, many of whom engage with the space while exploring nearby attractions. A café with a viewing deck, public parking, and a footpath link to Balloch Station all contribute to an environment that supports active travel and incidental use. The site also draws visitors specifically interested in the Maid of the Loch attraction. However, facilities for accommodating large visitor numbers are limited, and the site’s main experiential asset remains its dramatic and expansive view of Loch Lomond, which is a draw for both locals and tourists.
Engagement
The aim of the stakeholder and community engagement process was to develop a deeper understanding of the site’s constraints and opportunities, while also gathering a broad range of perspectives on aspirations for the future of Balloch Pierhead. After identifying key site stakeholders and relevant community groups, we tailored our engagement methods to suit the specific needs and interests of each audience. A multi-layered engagement programme was developed to ensure the process was inclusive and accessible to all.
Our approach operated at two levels:
1. Local engagement with site users and stakeholders
2. Town-wide engagement with community groups and the wider public
At both levels, the engagement strategy aimed to balance listening and learning, through direct conversations, events, and surveys, with open communication, sharing project updates and progress to build trust, foster positivity, and generate momentum for future initiatives.
The engagement events held throughout November 2024 included a key stakeholder roundtable meeting, a public engagement event at the Pierhead, walking workshops on site with Balloch and Haldane Community Council and Maid of the Loch, and an online survey which received over 200 constructive and proactive responses. There was a follow-up roundtable meeting in February for the key stakeholders to review the developing proposals
These sessions identified four key themes for improvement:
- Enhanced attractiveness
- Functionality and organisation
- Access and movement
- Biodiversity and sustainable design
Concept Design
Balloch Pierhead is a significant setting with potential to evolve an inspiring place to visit; whether for work, leisure or to explore the heritage features. Developing a vision around the core uses of the site has led to an Improvement Action Plan that is balanced in its functional requirements and destination appeal.
We have sought to learn from the analysis and history of the site to evolve proposals that are rooted in place, and respect the views and aspirations of local people. Pierhead is an important part of the local place, and the proposed vision for the Pierhead responds to that with a sustainable and long lasting approach.
Key Design Themes
Enhanced Attractiveness
One of the key aims of the project was to enhance the sense of place at the Pierhead through subtle placemaking strategies and thoughtful public realm design, while minimising built interventions. The introduction of two new civic spaces, along with a more pedestrian-friendly public realm, seeks to create a welcoming and inviting environment for people to explore.
Functionality & Organisation
The Pierhead is a unique and multifaceted site, serving a dual purpose. It functions both as an operational slipway, home to key stakeholders such as the Maid of the Loch; and as a public destination offering amenities like public WCs and a café. To better support these distinct uses, the site’s legibility and organisation required improvement.
The introduction of a new Operations Hub, a dedicated, multipurpose building, helps to consolidate storage and operational activities into a single, well-placed facility. Positioned strategically near the water, it ensures safe and efficient access to the Loch for stakeholders while creating a more structured and user-friendly environment for all.
Access & Movement
The access and movement strategy is a critical component in ensuring the Pierhead functions efficiently, particularly during peak periods. Within the constraints of the site, measures have been explored to better manage different user groups, introducing a new entrance sequence and increasing the number of waiting bays for boat users to ease congestion during busy times. Strategic control points will restrict vehicular access to the civic areas, helping to prioritise pedestrian safety and comfort. At the same time, essential service access has been maintained to ensure the Pierhead continues to meet the needs of all stakeholders.
Biodiversity & Sustainable Design
The setting of Balloch Pierhead is of national significance, and the surrounding landscape must be respected, protected, and enhanced. Adopting a “lean, mean, green” approach, the site aims to become an exemplar of placemaking, demonstrating how thoughtful design can go beyond the minimum requirements set out in technical standards.
Architectural Language
Project Info
Overview
West Dunbartonshire Council and Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park
Balloch Pierhead
June 2025
Services
Community & Stakeholder Consultation
Graphic Design
Consultants
Civic Engineers
PMP
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