Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has announced that the By The Loch Group will take on management of the Forestry and Land Scotland campsite at Cashel, Rowardennan, by Loch Lomond

A new dedicated Scottish outdoor business, the By The Loch Group has been established by the management team behind the multi-award-winning Holdfast Entertainment Company which recently took on the FLS campsite at Glenmore.

The Scottish owned business is committed to working with the local communities to enhance facilities and family friendly experiences, and provide local economic benefits.

The team are all outdoor enthusiasts and are keen to bring their extensive hospitality and leisure operating experience to the sustainable family tourism market.

Donald Cameron Macleod MBE, for By The Loch said:

“I am absolutely delighted to have been selected to manage Cashel campsite and cannot wait to work in partnership with the local communities to enhance the site so that everyone can enjoy what it has to offer. 

“I am passionate about tourism and Scotland’s unique natural environment, and will work tirelessly to build a successful and sustainable family friendly camp site and attraction for domestic and international visitors.

“I bringing a wealth of business knowledge and experience to this and believe that Cashel will be a thriving visitor hub from where visitors can explore the wider area.”

“I am fully signed up to FLS’ Visitor Strategy mission to look after Scotland’s forests and land, for the benefit of all, now and in the future.”

Subject to consultation with neighbouring residents, community groups and businesses, By The Loch Group has ambitious plans for the site over the next three years.

The new team at Cashel plans to develop new facilities and amenities (including wifi connectivity and green energy), offer additional play facilities and improved and fully accessible tent, caravan, and motorhome pitches that will promote the outdoors to all.

FLS’ Director of Commercial Development, John Mair, said;

“Cashel is a great location with huge potential and the BTL Group put forward the strongest bid to operate the site. Their extensive experience in running hospitality businesses – and their enthusiasm for the outdoors – informed their fully funded, sustainable business plan and we are looking forward to seeing them take this forward.”  

The new operators have also committed to promoting and using local suppliers and to establishing partnerships with local community groups and charities.  They will also introduce a ‘Community Pitch’ initiative which will allocate a percentage of each customer booking to benefit local good causes.

Notes to editors

1. Donald Macleod MBE is Managing Director of Holdfast Entertainment Group and in 2020 was awarded and MBE for services to music and charity (music therapy charity, Nordoff Robbins) 

2. The By The Loch Group was established by the highly experienced management team from Holdfast Entertainment Limited, who share a passion for customer service and the great outdoors. By The Loch includes Twinflower that now runs the campsite at Glenmore, is an independent Scottish business but will draw on the operations experience and back-office finance capabilities of Holdfast Entertainment Limited, an award-winning Nightclub and Events Management business.  Holdfast has won several industry awards and been recognised for best practice at national level by  Best Bar None Scotland.

3. Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) manages forests and land owned by Scottish Ministers in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry; conserves and enhances the environment; delivers benefits for people and nature; and supports Scottish Ministers in their stewardship of Scotland's national forests and land.

4. forestryandland.gov.scot | twitter.com/ForestryLS

5. Media enquiries to Paul Munro, Media Manager, Forestry and Land Scotland Media Office 07785 527590 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.