Award-winning Strathspey outdoors centre upbeat about a strong 2021
Badenoch and Strathspey's adventure playground is reopening again with one local award-winning provider reporting that demand is already looking strong.
Outdoor activity centre Craggan Outdoors by Grantown is once again be able to welcome visitors back albeit from only with the Highland region at this time.
The centre offers a range of 24 activities and is current holder of the ‘Best Outdoor Adventure Experience’ award from the Scottish Outdoor Leisure Awards 2019.
Managing director Keith Ballam told the Strathy he is looking forward to what will hopefully be a full season this year.
The first Covid lockdown closed the business in March to May, last year, and the second wave accounted for the winter trade.
Mr Ballam said: “The last 12 months has certainly been an incredibly challenging year but also punctuated with some real highs along the way.
“Having to close last March, let seasonal staff go and then lose all business – including the peak stag and hen weekend season in the spring and school outdoor education high season in May and June – was gut wrenching and incredibly worrying for the business.
"We have worked so hard to build up this custom over the last 12 years.
"But then when restrictions started easing at end-May, it was wonderful to see so many Grantown area locals come out to support us whilst the five-mile travel restriction was still in place.
"And then when everything re-opened more or less fully in mid-July, demand was immense and accordingly we had an incredibly strong summer – in fact it was our busiest ever August.
Mr Ballam said the signs were very good for a busy tourism season starting with the Easter holidays.
He said “We’re positive people by nature and with the outdoors being an environment presenting minimal risk from a Covid perspective, we’re confident that once again this year demand is going to be incredibly strong.
"We decided to invest in getting our new seasonal staff team in place earlier this month and they are now in full-on training mode and will be ready when the floodgates open."
All activities must be pre-booked in line with Scottish Government guidance.
