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New research shows National Parks reflect what people value about nature, climate and wellbeing

Newly commissioned national research from National Parks UK shows that what people value and care about, from their wellbeing to nature and climate, is strongly reflected in the work already being delivered by National Parks across Scotland, England and Wales. In Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, the 'Growing Our Future' programme is an example of action underway. The programme aims to build a network of local plant nurseries to provide a sustainable supply of native plants and trees, […]

todayNovember 3, 2026 16

Local News

Police Scotland praises public spirit during Halloween 2026

Police Scotland has thanked communities across the country for making sure Halloween 2026 passed without serious incident.In total 144 calls relating to fireworks were received on Saturday, 31 October compared to 160 during 2025 – a reduction of around 10 per cent.Specialist officers were on hand to support local policing teams during their attendance at various reports of antisocial behaviour during the evening, however, there were no offences arising that required a specific public order response.In Tranent, Bonnyrigg and Glasgow […]

todayNovember 2, 2026 6

Local News

Enhanced policing deployment for Bonfire Night

The largest co-ordinated police response since the visit of President Trump will be deployed to ensure the safety of the public and emergency services on Bonfire Night is being launched.Police Scotland is enhancing its plans for 5 November to meet additional demands.European football and potential for protest activity on Bonfire Night will see additional officers deployed with support of colleagues from England and Wales to keep people safe.Each year, additional specialist support is provided to local policing divisions to address […]

todayOctober 28, 2026 15

Local News

Emergency Council crews respond as flood alert and weather warnings issued

West Dunbartonshire Council’s frontline workers responded to emergencies amid challenging conditions as Storm Boelo battered the region over the weekend.An amber weather warning was in place between 9pm on Saturday and 9pm on Sunday coinciding with a high tide flood warning for Dumbarton Quay at 12.30am on Sunday morning. This followed a yellow weather warning which had been in place from midday on Saturday.The Council's resilience group was stood up on Friday to prepare for the storm and ensure a […]

todayOctober 26, 2026 30

Local News

New Education & Community Campus Officially Opens

Proud pupils and campus staff joined Councillors and family members as the new education and community campus in Faifley was officially opened.The Campus, which will provide state-of-the-art learning, childcare, sport and community facilities for generations to come, was opened by West Dunbartonshire Council Convener of Educational Services, Councillor Michelle McGinty.As part of the opening ceremony, guests were entertained with uplifting songs and a performance by pupils in the brass ensemble. Talented pupils also performed a special dance 'The Cochno Stone', […]

todayOctober 23, 2026 21

Local News

Hospice proudly opens the Professor John Welsh Specialist Palliative Care Centre

The next chapter in compassionate care begins as St Margaret of Scotland Hospice officially opens the Professor John Welsh Specialist Palliative Care Centre. For more than seventy five years, St Margaret of Scotland Hospice, based in Clydebank, has provided compassionate, specialist palliative care to patients with advanced illness and those with complex medical and nursing needs, supporting thousands of families through some of the most challenging times in their lives.On Sunday 25 October at 11.30am, the Hospice will unveil its […]

todayOctober 22, 2026 77

Local News

New skills academy to help prepare senior pupils for work

Senior pupils are set to benefit from a new Skills Academy programme designed to help them develop the confidence, knowledge and practical skills needed to take their next steps into employment.Educational Services launched the exciting new initiative, bringing together pupils, education staff, Council partners and invited guests to celebrate the start of the programme.The programme will provide senior pupils preparing to leave school next summer with hands-on opportunities to build employability skills, gain valuable workplace experience and explore a range […]

todayOctober 22, 2026 15

Local News

Douglas McAllister MP announces Youth Hub to launch this month

Douglas McAllister MP has announced that a new, UK Government funded youth hub will officially launch in West Dunbartonshire this month, on Friday 30 October 2026.Earlier this year, the UK Labour Government announced West Dunbartonshire as 1 of only 10 locations in Scotland to receive a fully funded youth hub, designed to provide local young people with employment, skills and training support, as part of a wider initiative to tackle youth unemployment.In official partnership with the SPFL, the launch will […]

todayOctober 21, 2026 37

Local News

Farms in National Park selected to drive climate‑resilient land management

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority has selected three farms to lead the next phase of its Resilient Farm Network (RFN), a four-year (2026-2030) programme designed to help agricultural businesses enhance resilience, adopt nature-friendly practices and support a long-term shift towards sustainable land use across the National Park.The three farms, Glen Finglas, Shemore and Portnellan, will work with specialist advisers and fellow land managers to test and refine on-farm approaches that strengthen profitability, biodiversity and soil health. Their […]

todayOctober 15, 2026 33

Local News

Early Years service Celebrates Qualification Success

West Dunbartonshire Council's Early Years Service has celebrated 26 employees who successfully gained professional qualifications during the 2025/26 academic session at a special recognition event.The event, the first of its kind for the service, recognised the commitment, hard work and dedication of staff who have balanced study alongside their professional roles to enhance their skills and support career progression within early learning and childcare.The qualifications achieved included:Nine employees, including Principal Officers, Lead Officers and Early Learning and Childcare Officers (ELCOs), […]

todayOctober 14, 2026 16

Local News

West Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust Named Scottish Water Learn to Swim Provider of the Year

West Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust (WDLT) has been recognised for its outstanding commitment to swimming and water safety after being named Scottish Water Learn to Swim Provider of the Year.The prestigious award from Scottish Swimming, celebrates the Trust's significant growth, innovation and positive impact on communities across West Dunbartonshire, where more than 3,100 people now take part in swimming lessons each week.Since 2022, WDLT has increased delivery from 293 to 513 swimming lessons every week, representing a 75 per cent increase […]

todayOctober 9, 2026 18

Local News

Council’s impressive engagement with communities highlighted by auditor

West Dunbartonshire Council has welcomed an independent audit report praising its community engagement and resident-focused approach to decision making.The Best Value report, published by the Accounts Commission following an in-depth review of the Council, highlighted consultation and feedback approaches which ensure local people’s views shape services and decisions that affect their communities.The report also noted the Council’s strong leadership, effective governance and impactful work to improve the lives of residents, alongside continuous improvement demonstrated by positive performance across many key […]

todayOctober 6, 2026 16

Local News

Councillor calls for greater focus on women and girls in STEM

At a meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council's Educational Services Committee, elected members were presented with the Education Delivery Plan 2025/26 End-of-Year Report, detailing the progress of the service. The report contains preliminary data from last academic year, with a full analysis due to be presented to the committee in December. Councillor Dr William Rooney suggested introducing a new performance indicator to monitor the participation of women and girls in STEM subjects. Councillor Rooney said: "I would be really keen to understand the current […]

todayOctober 2, 2026 26

Local News

Violence against women and girls is a national emergency

Police Scotland have launched a new digital advert which calls on men to be role models to help counter the toxic social media manosphere and reduce violence against women and girls.Police Scotland's latest That Guy campaign starts today, Monday, 28 September, with a call for everyday role models to recognise the positive influence that men can have on each other and boys, to prevent the attitudes and behaviours that lead to harassment, assault and rape.The advert kick-starts a six-week focus […]

todaySeptember 28, 2026 23

Local News

Ambitious plans to drive excellence and equity in education

An ambitious educational Improvement Plan which sets out a clear commitment to build on positive outcomes for children and young people and tackle inequalities across West Dunbartonshire has been approved.The plan, presented to Council’s Educational Services Committee, outlines key priorities to ensure every child and young person has the opportunity to learn and succeed, including a focus onWellbeing, Inclusion and Equity for All; Learning, Teaching, Attainment and Achievement; Employability and Positive Destinations; and Curriculum, Creativity and Future-Ready Learning.The four priorities […]

todaySeptember 23, 2026 18

Local News

Thousands Benefit from Free Summer Activities Through SHINE Programme

Thousands of children and young people across West Dunbartonshire enjoyed free activities, meals and support throughout the summer holidays thanks to the Council’s SHINE Summer Programme.The initiative was designed to help families during the school holiday period, supporting free activities and access to meals and snacks, at a time when financial pressures for families can be increased.The Council adopted a two-pronged approach, offering both community-based activities open to all children and young people and targeted support for those with severe […]

todaySeptember 22, 2026 22

Local News

National Park Authority Pilots Combined Planning And Land Use Plan In Scottish First

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority is piloting a new Local Development and Land Use Plan, the first in Scotland to bring planning and land use together under one integrated Plan. The new Plan will set out not just where development should and shouldn't happen, but also how land across the National Park could be used, managed and protected to ensure a climate resilient, nature positive future for our economy.The pilot reflects the National Park Authority's unique position […]

todaySeptember 21, 2026 19

Local News

Primary pupils across West Dunbartonshire celebrate Gold School Sport Awards

Pupils at six West Dunbartonshire Schools have been awarded a sportscotland Gold School Sport Award for their commitment to sport and physical education.Bonhill, Christie Park, Gartocharn, Knoxland, Linnvale and Clydemuir Primary Schools were recognised for their dedication to embedding sport into school life, with Bonhill retaining its award for the second year in a row.The awards recognise each school’s efforts to put quality physical education and school sport at the heart of their planning, practice and ethos.The schools, along with […]

todaySeptember 17, 2026 15

Local News

The King visits Lochan Uaine to unveil commemorative stone

His Majesty visited Lochan Uaine in the Cairngorms National Park to meet members of the community who were affected by the recent wildfire.The visit offered The King an opportunity to see first-hand some of the damage from the Glenmore and Strath Nethy wildfire. The iconic landscape around Lochan Uaine (the Green Lochan) was badly affected in the blaze and the area is still restricted behind Forestry and Land Scotland safety cordons. Those attending today were escorted at all times by Park […]

todaySeptember 16, 2026 22

Local News

Gavinburn early years worker scoops top award

An Early Learning and Childcare Officer has been recognised for her commitment to embedding the Gaelic language within Gavinburn Primary School and Early Learning and Childcare Centre (ELCC).Sandra Steele scooped the Gaelic Hearts Early Years Award at The Early Years Scotland awards night. The event recognises individuals and organisations for their dedication, innovation and professionalism of people working with Scotland’s youngest children.Judges were impressed with Sandra’s commitment to the introduction of Gaelic which has been so successful that families are […]

todaySeptember 15, 2026 25 1

Local News

Small Skipper butterfly spotted at RSPB Loch Lomond for the first time

RSPB Loch Lomond was all aflutter this summer with the first-ever recording of a Small Skipper butterfly at the nature reserve.The species has expanded its range into Scotland in recent years, having previously been found predominantly in southern England.Roger Broad, a volunteer at RSPB Loch Lomond, said: "I went looking for the Small Skipper butterfly and found it within a 10-minute walk of the Visitor Hub, in the first field I checked."The habitat in this field is the result of […]

todaySeptember 15, 2026 20

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