New visitor centre opens at Glenshee
North Tayside MSP John Swinney has officially opened a new visitor centre in Glenshee.
Back — Alex Winton, Mike Purdie, Tereza Morgan, David Brown, Mr Swinney, Doreen McIntyre and Philip Smith. Front — Hamish Blaikie, Maisie Morgan and Lucy Smith.
- By Richard Burdge
- Published in the Courier : 03.08.10
- Published online : 03.08.10 @ 05.35pm
The purpose of the centre is to encourage people to break their journey on the A93 — the majority of traffic passes through en-route to Deeside — to make them aware of what is on offer in the area and encourage them to stay longer and return for future visits.
In 2008-09 Perth and Kinross Council provided funding to Glenshee Tourist Association to undertake a feasibility study into establishing a visitor centre and also to deliver a marketing strategy to provide a plan to turn Glenshee into a year-round destination.
The study found in favour of a small visitor centre within an existing business in the area and the pottery was identified as the most suitable location — being alongside the A93, at the new boundary of the National Park, at the geographic centre of the glen and within an existing business which could provide a basic level of staffing support.
A funding package of £18,000 was pulled together and the Glenshee Tourist Association is responsible for the ongoing running costs and maintenance of the visitor centre.
"Glenshee is such a tremendously beautiful part of Scotland and we are all very fortunate to live near it," said Mr Swinney. "I am positive that the visitor centre will not only thrive but attract additional tourists to the area.
"I want to congratulate everyone who has been part of this project. It is a tremendous achievement and would not have been possible without the hard work of everyone involved in the Glenshee Tourist Association."
The marketing strategy made a number of recommendations with regards to focusing on the outdoor activity sector and events to attract people to the area.
The Glenshee Tourist Association and Blairgowrie and East Perthshire Tourist Association have been working with Perth and Kinross Council on the development and promotion of the Cateran Trail, which is starting to bring in real results with businesses noting a significant increase in walkers visiting.
This year also sees the first Heather Festival, a two-week programme of events for visitors and the local community including free guided walks and mountain bike rides, craft markets, real ale tasting and a community dance.
The festival starts on Friday, August 13, with the Heather Hop Dance at Blackwater Hall.
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