Local Information
TOURISM
Tourism is an important and growing sector in Croftamie. We are a “Gateway village” to Loch Lomond & Trossach National Park.
Accommodation in and around Croftamie includes:
The But & Ben is a family run licensed café serving delicious homemade food. An ideal stop for walkers, cyclists or anyone enjoying a visit to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.
The nearest tourist information is in Drymen where an interactive computer screen is in the window of the Library.
Tourism is an important and growing sector in Croftamie. We are a “Gateway village” to Loch Lomond & Trossach National Park.
Accommodation in and around Croftamie includes:
- Croftburn B&B with 6 bed spaces, (this establishment is used primarily by walkers on the West Highland Way).
- Appletree Cottage, Shandon Farm self-catering.
- Finnich Cottages, 4 self catering cottages for 2 - 6 occupants.
- Lomond Luxury Lodges, self-catering.
- Tullycross Cottage self-catering.
- Oakwood Farm, 4 self-catering chalets with accommodation for up to 14.
The But & Ben is a family run licensed café serving delicious homemade food. An ideal stop for walkers, cyclists or anyone enjoying a visit to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.
The nearest tourist information is in Drymen where an interactive computer screen is in the window of the Library.
FARMING
Agriculture, although not as important as in the past, still provides a major contribution to local employment. Of the 50 or so employed in agriculture 50% are occupiers of farming units while the remainder constitute regular and casual staff.
In the Croftamie area sheep and beef farming constitute the principal types of agricultural activity. One local farm has diversified into self-catering accommodation (see above). In the last 10 years, 9 local small (hobby) farms have been lost.
Agriculture, although not as important as in the past, still provides a major contribution to local employment. Of the 50 or so employed in agriculture 50% are occupiers of farming units while the remainder constitute regular and casual staff.
In the Croftamie area sheep and beef farming constitute the principal types of agricultural activity. One local farm has diversified into self-catering accommodation (see above). In the last 10 years, 9 local small (hobby) farms have been lost.
LOCAL BUSINESSES
A number of small businesses and service providers operate within the Croftamie Community Council area. They include businesses of sub-regional importance serving wider local markets including;
If you have a business within the Croftamie Community Council area and would like a listing please contact us.
A number of small businesses and service providers operate within the Croftamie Community Council area. They include businesses of sub-regional importance serving wider local markets including;
- The But & Ben, a family run, licensed cafe in the heart of the village.
- Liam McKechnie Gardening services. Grass cut and hedges trimmed. Call local lad Liam on 07860 124960.
- Edge of The Wood Upholstery and Furniture Restoration.
- James D. Bilsland Ltd. Fuel Distributors.
- Gordon Agri Scotland Ltd. Suppliers of new and used tractors.
- Scottish Stove Centre 70 years of installing and servicing domestic chimneys and solid fuel appliances.
- Croftamie Stone is a family business providing quality stone, much of which is locally sourced.
- Thomas Robinson Architects.
- Simon Skene, Motor Vehicle Repairs 01360 660980.
- Lomond Logs is a family run business based in Drymen. They supply and deliver locally sourced, kiln dried seasoned hardwood & softwood from sustainable Scottish woodlands.
- Bill Ewing, Lockforce Locksmiths.
- Karen Degg, Image Consultant, mobile: 07807 173145.
- Templespa, Quality skin care products, mobile: 07807 173145.
If you have a business within the Croftamie Community Council area and would like a listing please contact us.
EDUCATION
Pre-School Provision
Croftamie Nursery was opened in 1997 and uses the former Primary School building. The nursery serves the communities of Croftamie, Buchanan, and Drymen; it provides 40 places, over 2 sessions. Currently 4 children from Croftamie attend the nursery. A playgroup for parents and toddlers is run twice a week at Drymen Village Hall. Closure Pending. Relocating to Drymen Primary School. Contact Stirling Council for further details.
Primary Education
Children attend schools in Drymen and Killearn.
Secondary Education
Croftamie lies within the catchment area of Balfron High School (5 or 6 miles away).
Further & Adult Education
Pre-School Provision
Croftamie Nursery was opened in 1997 and uses the former Primary School building. The nursery serves the communities of Croftamie, Buchanan, and Drymen; it provides 40 places, over 2 sessions. Currently 4 children from Croftamie attend the nursery. A playgroup for parents and toddlers is run twice a week at Drymen Village Hall. Closure Pending. Relocating to Drymen Primary School. Contact Stirling Council for further details.
Primary Education
Children attend schools in Drymen and Killearn.
Secondary Education
Croftamie lies within the catchment area of Balfron High School (5 or 6 miles away).
Further & Adult Education
- Balfron High School offers adult education in conjunction with Clackmannan and Falkirk College
- Croftamie in within ready daily travel distance of Glasgow and Stirling.
HEALTH
Health Centre
There is a purpose built Health Centre and Pharmacy in Drymen. The practice currently has 1,522 patients, 119 of whom are from Croftamie. Adjacent practices are located in Balfron and Killearn.
A primary care team serves the community and consists of:
The nearest Dentist is in Drymen; it is open to takes NHS patients otherwise the nearest NHS Dentists are in Alexandria or Milngavie.
Optician
The nearest optician is in Balfron.
Care Facilities
The nearest hospital is located at Vale of Leven in Alexandria and Stirling for minor Accident and Emergency Department. The nearest A&E Departments are in Larbet and Glasgow.
Health Centre
There is a purpose built Health Centre and Pharmacy in Drymen. The practice currently has 1,522 patients, 119 of whom are from Croftamie. Adjacent practices are located in Balfron and Killearn.
A primary care team serves the community and consists of:
- District Nurse / Community Midwife
- Health Visitor – Part-time.
- Chiropodist - one afternoon a week.
The nearest Dentist is in Drymen; it is open to takes NHS patients otherwise the nearest NHS Dentists are in Alexandria or Milngavie.
Optician
The nearest optician is in Balfron.
Care Facilities
- Home visits are available from the doctor
- There are various Social Care Services available, including meals on wheels and home help
- Home visits are also available from the district nurse/community midwife and health visitor
- The nearest residential care facility is in Blanefield and respite facilities in Balfron.
The nearest hospital is located at Vale of Leven in Alexandria and Stirling for minor Accident and Emergency Department. The nearest A&E Departments are in Larbet and Glasgow.
RETAIL
Local shops and a bank are available in Drymen; the nearest larger shopping centres are Stirling, Balloch or Milngavie.
The Post Office Van is on Wednesdays 3.30 pm - 4.30 pm in The But & Ben carpark.
Mobile Royal Bank of Scotland Bank at 10.00 am every Friday next to Mill Quadrant.
Fish available on Tuesday approx 2.15 - 2.45 pm stopping at various house within village, meat and vegetable mobile shop services also serve the village.
Strategic Issue Even ordinary every-day shopping involves travel by car or public transport.
Local shops and a bank are available in Drymen; the nearest larger shopping centres are Stirling, Balloch or Milngavie.
The Post Office Van is on Wednesdays 3.30 pm - 4.30 pm in The But & Ben carpark.
Mobile Royal Bank of Scotland Bank at 10.00 am every Friday next to Mill Quadrant.
Fish available on Tuesday approx 2.15 - 2.45 pm stopping at various house within village, meat and vegetable mobile shop services also serve the village.
Strategic Issue Even ordinary every-day shopping involves travel by car or public transport.
COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND RECREATION ACTIVITIES
Library
The nearest library is in Drymen and offers Internet access. The Library van visits the village once a fortnight.
Village Hall
At the present time the nursery building is designated as a dual use facility, for community use alongside its educational role.
Church
There is no church in Croftamie which is part of the Kilmaronock parish with Church now only in Gartocharn. Most of the surrounding villages have churches including Drymen, Balfron & Killearn.
Open Spaces
There are play facilities for very small children at the nursery but no other play parks for children at all. The nearest play facilities are at Drymen and Balmaha.
Strategic Issues
Balfron High School campus is used for a variety of youth activities as well as evening classes. It has a 25m swimming pool, and various gymnasium facilities including football, badminton and various day and evening classes.
Women's Groups
Croftamie has a long-running Women’s Rural Institute. Founded in 1927. Meetings are monthly from September to May; there are currently approximately 40 members – a token of demonstrating Croftamie’s willingness and desire for community activities.
Strategic Issues
Library
The nearest library is in Drymen and offers Internet access. The Library van visits the village once a fortnight.
Village Hall
At the present time the nursery building is designated as a dual use facility, for community use alongside its educational role.
Church
There is no church in Croftamie which is part of the Kilmaronock parish with Church now only in Gartocharn. Most of the surrounding villages have churches including Drymen, Balfron & Killearn.
Open Spaces
There are play facilities for very small children at the nursery but no other play parks for children at all. The nearest play facilities are at Drymen and Balmaha.
Strategic Issues
- The lack of a community facility is perceived as the largest single factor inhibiting the development of community activities in Croftamie
- The development of play areas and community open spaces in the village needs to be addressed.
- Strathendrick and District Cycling Club operate a programme of cycle runs in the area.
- The SUSTRANS Route 7 (long distance cycle path) runs through the village on the old rail track.
- Public swimming pools are available at Stirling and Alexandria and Balfron High School campus has a pool.
- The nearest football clubs are in Drymen and Gartocharn.
- There are 3 golf courses at Drymen and Buchanan Castle.
- Croftamie is located in the middle of fine walking country.
- Curling and fishing are popular locally.
- There are no organised youth groups in the village - Drymen Youth Café is available in Drymen.
- Girl Guide meetings are held in Drymen Village Hall on a weekly basis.
Balfron High School campus is used for a variety of youth activities as well as evening classes. It has a 25m swimming pool, and various gymnasium facilities including football, badminton and various day and evening classes.
Women's Groups
Croftamie has a long-running Women’s Rural Institute. Founded in 1927. Meetings are monthly from September to May; there are currently approximately 40 members – a token of demonstrating Croftamie’s willingness and desire for community activities.
Strategic Issues
- Croftamie is not well served in terms of groups and recreational activities.
- There is a shortage of clubs and activities for all age groups in the village.
- The majority of leisure activities are dependent upon journeys to recreational facilities either by public or private transport.
TRANSPORT
Roads
Roads
- The Village is located on the A809 a principal route into Glasgow; just north of the village the A809 joins the A811 a major route connecting Stirling with Loch Lomondside.
UTILITIES
Telecommunications
Fibre Broadband is available in the community via Drymen exchange. Broadband speed is dependant on the distance from individual properties to the local box.
Refuse
Refuse collection is weekly by Stirling Council on Sundays.
Recyling
The nearest recycling facilities are at Balfron.
Gas & Electricity
Croftamie is supplied with both mains gas and electricity.
Water
Most households in Croftamie are supplied by Scottish Water.
Telecommunications
Fibre Broadband is available in the community via Drymen exchange. Broadband speed is dependant on the distance from individual properties to the local box.
Refuse
Refuse collection is weekly by Stirling Council on Sundays.
Recyling
The nearest recycling facilities are at Balfron.
Gas & Electricity
Croftamie is supplied with both mains gas and electricity.
Water
Most households in Croftamie are supplied by Scottish Water.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
- Fire, ambulance and police services are located in Balfron.
- Loch Lomond Mountain Search and Rescue Service has a well-equipped building in Drymen.
- There is a defib unit available at The But & Ben.
ENVIRONMENT
River Endrick
The River Endrick is the principal environmental asset in the area. The Endrick Water rises in the Gargunnock Hills and flows west to enter Loch Lomond just south of Balmaha. The river is the major inflow into the Loch and forms the main spawning ground for the Loch’s salmon. The area is noted for its low levels of pollution and the habitat supports a wide range of associated species, including otter, heron, kingfishers and dippers. The surrounding water catchment area is used primarily for agricultural purposes.
Adjacent habitats range from localised base-rich grasslands, small wetlands and woodlands to extensive acidic grasslands, heath and mire.
Area of Sensitivity
The Endrick area to the north of Croftamie has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), primarily because of its unique lamprey population. The other principal site of interest in the area is at Aucheneck on the Carnock Burn. It is a designated a SSSI due to its well-preserved examples of various glacial landforms, and is a key site for interpreting the Ice Age of the Loch Lomond area.
Paths & Access
As well as the long distance walking and cycle routes that pass through the village there is the network of local paths and pavements, many of which need upgrading.
River Endrick
The River Endrick is the principal environmental asset in the area. The Endrick Water rises in the Gargunnock Hills and flows west to enter Loch Lomond just south of Balmaha. The river is the major inflow into the Loch and forms the main spawning ground for the Loch’s salmon. The area is noted for its low levels of pollution and the habitat supports a wide range of associated species, including otter, heron, kingfishers and dippers. The surrounding water catchment area is used primarily for agricultural purposes.
Adjacent habitats range from localised base-rich grasslands, small wetlands and woodlands to extensive acidic grasslands, heath and mire.
Area of Sensitivity
The Endrick area to the north of Croftamie has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), primarily because of its unique lamprey population. The other principal site of interest in the area is at Aucheneck on the Carnock Burn. It is a designated a SSSI due to its well-preserved examples of various glacial landforms, and is a key site for interpreting the Ice Age of the Loch Lomond area.
Paths & Access
As well as the long distance walking and cycle routes that pass through the village there is the network of local paths and pavements, many of which need upgrading.
HERITAGE
It has been suggested that the name Croftamie originates from the Gaelic ‘Croit Seumas’ - the ‘Croft of James’. The earliest written parish record showing the village as Croftamie is 1823. The coming of the railway and Drymen station sited in the village were major formative influences on the growth of Croftamie.
Some of the features that make Croftamie special:
Strategic Issues
It has been suggested that the name Croftamie originates from the Gaelic ‘Croit Seumas’ - the ‘Croft of James’. The earliest written parish record showing the village as Croftamie is 1823. The coming of the railway and Drymen station sited in the village were major formative influences on the growth of Croftamie.
Some of the features that make Croftamie special:
- The drove roads - from the north of Scotland to Glasgow over the Stockie Muir and from Argyll and the west to the Falkirk Tryst.
- The railway – opened in the 1850s and closed a century later.
- The annual February horse fair.
- The ruined castle at Mains of Kilmaronock.
- The well of St. Dieldrin, reputed to contain a cure for leprosy!
- The ruins at Spittal, thought to be a Templar site.
- The stone quarry and a timber mill.
Strategic Issues
- The need to record the heritage of the area before it is lost forever.