Scottish radio and TV presenter Kirsty Young has received the green light to develop a holiday lodge on Inchconnachan Island, also known as “Wallaby Island,” in Loch Lomond. The 103-acre island, famous for its wild wallaby colony, has been the subject of public debate since Young’s planning application was lodged in 2021.
The Controversy Surrounding the Development
Inchconnachan has been home to Scotland’s only colony of wild wallabies for about 80 years. The wallabies, introduced to the island by Lady Arran Colquhoun after World War II, have become an iconic part of the island’s ecosystem. However, when Young announced her plans to build a short-stay holiday lodge, complete with a new boathouse and jetty, concern grew among wildlife charities and the public. An online petition to “save the wallabies of Loch Lomond” gathered over 100,000 signatures in 2022, fearing that the development would threaten the species’ habitat.
The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority, which oversees planning decisions for the area, granted permission with certain stipulations. They assured the public that the wallabies’ habitat would remain protected, and no harm would come to the animals.
What’s Included in the Plans?
The development proposal submitted by Young and her husband, Nick Jones, the founder of Soho House, includes the construction of a holiday lodge, a new boathouse, and a jetty on the island. Additionally, the ruins of a 1920s colonial-style timber bungalow will be demolished, and the land will be rewilded, creating a natural wet woodland to promote biodiversity.
While the project involves some environmental impact, including a small loss of habitat, the park authority noted that the restoration of the site would benefit the local ecosystem in the long term, particularly by removing invasive plant species like Rhododendron ponticum and non-native trees. This restoration is intended to encourage the expansion of Atlantic oak woodland, further supporting the island’s wildlife.
Conditions for Development
The planning permission comes with several conditions designed to protect the island’s unique environment. The holiday lodge can only be used as a short-term rental, with a maximum stay of 90 days per guest in a calendar year. Additionally, a full-time warden will be required to live on the island, overseeing the protection of otters and breeding birds, as well as promoting native plant species and woodland diversity.
Claire Chapman, chair of the planning and access committee, emphasized that careful consideration had been given to the impact of the development on the island’s protected status. She assured that the project would not negatively affect the integrity of the area’s natural habitats.
The Wallabies’ Legacy
The wallabies of Loch Lomond have become a symbol of the island, attracting curious visitors and nature enthusiasts. With approximately 60 wallabies still roaming the island, they continue to thrive in an environment shaped by decades of isolation and human intervention. The Loch Lomond area also serves as a critical habitat for the endangered capercaillie bird, further highlighting the ecological significance of the island.
Inchconnachan remains a rare natural treasure, and while the planned development is met with mixed reactions, the future of its wallaby population appears secure—at least for now.