Locating a New Family Activity Centre: A Recreational Development Application of GIS

Loch Lomond and The Trossachs were established as a national park in 2001. Loch Lomond, UK’s second largest lake, is situated within 50 km of Glasgow (a major UK city) and has long been an important recreational centre for water sports, hill and forest walking, mountain biking, etc. A long distance path crosses the area (The West Highland Way), taking walkers, in five days, from Glasgow to Glen Nevis (the location of the UK’s highest mountain). The lake’s cultural and ecological significance has long been recognized. As one of Europe’s deepest lakes [Hydromod, 2003; www.hydromod.de/Eurolakes/] it is an important natural freshwater habitat; our university also has an internationally recognized field study centre on the lake’s shores [SCENE, 2009; http://www.gla.ac.uk/scene/]. Our university offers four one-year Geomatics MSc programmes which attract UK and international students. Coursework, September to April, precedes the students’ six-month research project. As part of their coursework, those students with little background in GIS must find a suitable location for a “Family Activity Centre” on the lake, using GIS. Students must submit an individual report on their methods used. Many illustrate their report with their own photos - so the task reviews and explores GIS skills, and encourages visits to an important location near our city