THREE Loch Lomond islands have been sold privately, two of them to loch-side residents, after a failed bid to buy them for the nation.

The islands, all of which lie in the loch's bottom basin and are part of the Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve, came on the market last year after the death of Lady Barbara Leith-Buchanan, who was in her 90s when fire destroyed her cottage close to Gartocharn. The trustees of her estate were forced to sell the islands to settle her affairs.

Fears were raised that they could be bought by the highest bidder and despoiled by a developer, but they were allayed when Scottish Natural Heritage said the islands were protected from change by their NNR designation. They are now an integral part of Scotland's first national park, and ospreys fish around the shores of all three islands.

The larger two, Creeinch and Torrinch, were on the market at #30,000 each, while tiny Aber Isle had an asking price of #15,000. It is understood that all three sold for above the asking prices.

The Herald has learned that Aber Isle, a speck of a sandbank clad in trees and home to hundreds of birds off the mouth of the River Endrick, has been bought by a family whose home on the south shore looks directly on to isle.

Brian and Carol Crook, of Gartochraggan, Gartocharn, and their three sons will be able to look out from their cottage straight across to their own island.

Mrs Crook said yesterday: ''We bought the island to ensure that nothing changes. We want everything to stay exactly the same. We know it well because we have canoes and a boat and sail out to it frequently. I suppose the idea of buying an island is a romantic notion but our main reason was to keep the status quo.''

Creeinch - larger, densely tree-clad, and home to buzzards, deer, and a rich flora - has been bought for around #50,000 by a group of five friends from the south-west side of Loch Lomond.

The purchase was the idea of Graham Wyllie, an outdoor advertising contractor who lives at Auchenheglish Lodge, the gatehouse of the former Lomond Castle Hotel at Arden. He launched the idea at a party at his home and four of his friends came on board, each contributing around #10,000.

One is Donnie Robertson, a retired policeman who runs a bed and breakfast at Watersedge Cottage, near Duck Bay Marina.

Another is a wealthy publisher with Australian business interests who has a flat at Arden House, the third is a business partner of Mr Wyllie who comes from Douglas in Lanarkshire, and the fourth is a Yorkshire businessman who owns a chalet at Inverbeg Holiday Park.

Mr Wyllie said yesterday that they all shared a common interest in and love of Loch Lomond. He already owns two holiday flats on the water's edge in his garden at Arden and hopes to develop further.

''We were aware the islands were protected before we made the purchase and we have no plans to change anything. I suppose we bought the island because we could afford to. Perhaps we will go out in the summer as proprietors and have a barbecue or a picnic,'' he said.

The largest of the three islands, Torrinch, also densely wooded, has been bought by James Buchanan, who lives in Leeds.

Jock Scott-Park, of Portnellan Farm, Gartocharn, one of the trustees of Lady Leith-Buchanan's estate, said yesterday: ''We know nothing about Mr Buchanan other than that he has the clan name. We are happy that the islands will be looked after and Scottish Natural Heritage are also happy with the sales.''

Hannah Stirling, president of the campaigning group, Friends of Loch Lomond, said: ''My feeling has always been that as much of Loch Lomond as possible should be in the direct control of the new national park authority.

''It is a matter of considerable regret that we were not successful in having these islands safeguarded for the park and the nation.

''Even if they have gone into local hands there is always a risk, particularly in the future, that attempts may be made to despoil or develop them.

''We can only hope that the new owners will take good care of them.''