National park elects new leader

Dr Mike Cantlay will head an authority board of 25 people

A new leader has been elected to oversee the work of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority.

Its board has chosen Dr Mike Cantlay to take over the role of convener from Gillie Thomson.

Dr Cantlay, who lives and works in the national park, said: "We've come a long way in four years and I look forward to the challenges ahead."

Based in Callander, he has tourism, leisure and retail interests in Scotland, Canada and the US.

He has recently retired as deputy chair of VisitScotland and was formerly chair of Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley.

In 2003, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Stirling in recognition of his contribution to public service.

Chartered surveyor David Hughes-Hallett takes over as deputy-convener from Sir Peter Hutchison.

He said: "This is a great honour and a fantastic time to take on responsibility for further developing the authority."

The National Park Authority has 25 members.