THE Loch Lomond-side village of Luss, home of STV's Take the High

Road, yesterday celebrated the completion of a nine-year restoration and

environmental project.

Mrs Mack, otherwise actress Gwynneth Guthrie, who normally refers to

the village as Glendarroch, gave a rare smile as she unveiled a

commemorative plaque to mark the occasion.

During the work, every attempt was made to keep the original character

of the village and the cottages which were built for foresters, farm

labourers, and quarrymen employed by Luss Estates.

The restoration was effected by a consortium of Gap Housing

Association, Scottish Homes, Dumbarton District Council, Strathclyde

Regional Council, the National Trust for Scotland, and Historic

Scotland.

Gap, coupled with a funding from Scottish Homes, carried out the main

restoration work to 25 cottages which it owns and lets to its tenants.

Many local people have been housed.

The cottages consist of 10 one-bedroom, 12 two-bedroom semi-detached

and three larger three and five-bedroom properties for families.

Gap addressed a wide range of needs in allocating the houses,

including the homeless and those having no security of tenure. Specific

medical needs were also taken into account.

The restoration has helped ensure housing in a rural setting in one of

Scotland's most outstanding conservation areas -- the village is on the

west side of Loch Lomond with its picturesque background of hills and

Glen Luss.