Changes 'ahoof' at popular Cairngorms visitor attraction
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Work is about to get started on the brand new Cairngorm Reindeer Centre at Glenmore but it does mean there will be significant changes for visitors.
The Reindeer Company Ltd lodged a full application with Highland Council’s planning service in January, last year, for the demolition of the existing paddocks and replacement with a new visitor centre along with parking.
The new building, approved two months later by planners using delegated powers, will incorporate a four-person office, staff canteen, visitor reception, retail and exhibition area, visitor WCs, access to paddock walkway, external interpretation with display and covered area for children’s craft.
Staff have said they are excited that the project is set to get under way on the ground next week but have flagged up that the former paddocks and exhibition will be closed.
Centre spokeswoman Hen Robinson said: "The hill trips to see the reindeer on the mountainside will run as normal from when our attraction re-opens this Saturday for the season, however, the paddocks and exhibition at the centre in Glenmore will remain closed until the new building and the associated groundworks are complete.
"Hopefully this will be by late summer or autumn.
"This means that there is no 'low-key' easy option to see a few reindeer.
"All visitors will need to be able to manage a mountain walk of around 30 to 40 minutes and have the associated correct clothing and footwear.
"It is also best to book ahead for hill trips as they do reach fully booked especially in holiday seasons.
The paddocks have been stripped and the tree stumps removed ready for contractors to start building from this Monday (February 12).
Tilly and Alan Smith took over the ownership and management of the Cairngorm Reindeer herd in summer 1989.
They had both been working for the family who owned the herd for a number of years and when Mr Mikel Utsi and then Dr Ethel Lindgren passed away the opportunity arose to make the unusual purchase.
The couple immediately converted part of Reindeer House into the ‘Cairngorm Reindeer Centre’, with reception, shop and office at one end leaving the rest of the house for living quarters.
The reindeer paddocks beside the house became a display area for visitors to see a small group of reindeer.
But nearly 35 years later and Mrs Smith said the time had come for change.
She said: "In the summer of 2021 we received an incredibly generous donation from a long term reindeer adopter who asked that the monies they donated be put towards upgrading the current facilities at Reindeer House which would involve returning the house to a domestic property and constructing a stand alone building for our reindeer shop, exhibition and office.
"The following January we engaged with an architect and since then we have been going through the process of agreeing plans and applying for planning permission and the building warrant.
"With all the statutory requirements in place we began work last September, building a 16 bay car-park close to the paddocks. The car park is now nearly finished and work is now due to start on the new building which will be situated in our existing paddock area."
'A tinge of sadness'
As normal, the business closed for a few weeks on January 8 and immediately their son Alex, with help from herders, began to demolish the wooden structures in the paddocks to make space for the new construction.
Tilly said: "There was a tinge of sadness seeing the old buildings that we built ourselves coming down but I suspect the improvements are long overdue and we are imagining a really special place for visitors to come to learn about our wonderful herd of reindeer alongside new displays, children’s activities and of course reindeer.
"Most importantly the new centre will be access to all abilities."
The centre's reception, shop and office will be open as usual from the weekend.
Dr Utsi had the house built in 1960 – before that the Sami reindeer herder had his animals for a couple of the early years where the Cairngorm Sleddog Centre is based.
Planning agents Oberlanders said at the time the proposal will rationalise the facilities at Reindeer House with the aim being to improve the visitor experience and upgrade the staff welfare provision.
