Art competition launched to tackle Arrochar marine litter

An art competition for pupils across Scottish regions has launched to tackle marine litter.

Our Marine Litter Art Competition, in collaboration with GRAB Trust, focuses on the Arrochar Litter Sink, encouraging pupils to think about litter dropped locally and how it might end up travelling and impacting the community at Arrochar.

Pupils at primary schools, early years and ASN schools across the West Partnership, Argyll and Bute, North Ayrshire and South Ayrshire are able to enter, with a Live Lesson taken place already and a workshop planned to support and motivate their projects, before submitting their final piece in February.

The top eight schools will each be provided £250 towards attending an event at Arrochar Village Hall on 11 March 2025 to showcase their creation and journey with other schools and local stakeholders.

At that same event the overall winner will be selected, and will receive a trip to the Sea Life Loch Lomond Aquarium in Balloch.

Heather McLaughlin, our Campaigns and Social Innovation Manager, said: “We’re so excited to be launching this art competition to get young people involved in tackling marine litter.

“We know that around 80% of marine litter comes from land, and tackling the issue at source is vital to protect our precious waterways.

“In previous years we’ve had some amazing submissions through our various art competitions and I’m sure this year will be no different. Young people across the country are so passionate about our environment and their artwork is always so inspiring.”

Jacqui Willis, Beaches and Marine Litter Project Officer at The GRAB Trust, said: “The GRAB Trust are delighted to be able to support Keep Scotland Beautiful on this fantastic project.

“Research shows the vast majority of marine litter found at Arrochar originates elsewhere and so raising awareness around litter pathways is an important step in encouraging the behavioural changes we need to see in preventing litter at source. I’m really excited to see the competition entries!” 

Kathryn Adam, General Manager at SEA LIFE Loch Lomond, said: “At SEA LIFE Loch Lomond we know first-hand the impact marine litter can have on the environment and on our creatures so we are delighted to support Keep Scotland Beautiful on this fantastic initiative.

“We look forward to seeing the artwork entries and welcoming the overall winners to SEA LIFE Loch Lomond. Good luck to everyone taking part!”

The Live Lesson will take place on Thursday 14 November.

Our award-winning Upstream Battle® campaign is funded by Marine Fund Scotland.