Vale of Leven residents are being invited to submit their salmon-themed designs for a new mural at Bonhill Bridge.
Local artist Barry the Cat will paint the winning design on the wall under the structure, which is being put in place as part of the area’s celebrations for International Year of the Salmon.
Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust operations manager Malcolm MacCormick explained why they were keen to ensure that a legacy was left, after receiving a 17,000 Euro grant from The North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation.
He said: “It’s very easy to say that we want funding for a one-off spectacular but we wanted to do something that would leave a lasting impact in the community.
“We’re hoping to get writers along to say what salmon means to them, we’ve got some salmon scientists signed up and community events arranged for the summer holidays.
“The mural is the first thing we’re going to do though and it’s open to anyone.
“We will accept any suggestions, the most important thing is that it’s salmon related.”
Malcolm also said that locals should be doing more to help the fish, as numbers start to drop.
He continued: “The Lomond salmon is under the same amount of pressure as salmon across Scotland and the Leven is very much a motorway for them.
“Everyone has a role to play, tearing down trees is an issue as it removes protection
and keeps the temperature low , for example.
“It’s important that people look after the local environment, we’ve pulled out everything from the river, from tyres to car engines.
“It’s just laziness, people have to be more aware of the environment.”
Anyone looking to submit a design can contact the trust via l.lomondfisheriestrust@gmail.com
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