Chapter closes at visitor centre at Cairngorms’ busiest beauty spot
One chapter has closed but another exciting one will soon open at a visitor centre at the heart of the Cairngorms National Park’s busiest beauty spot.
Glenmore Forest Cafe by Cobbs and the attraction’s toilets shut down earlier this week.
The facilities will reopen in the early winter under new community ownership.
It follows Aviemore and Glenmore Community Trust's acquisition of the building from Forestry and Land Scotland under the Community Asset Transfer Scheme.
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The plan is to have the cafe back open in early December
AGCT treasurer Mike Dearman said the trust is making great progress towards the handover but he said there is still ‘a huge amount to do’.
He commented: “We are on course to take ownership on November 1 and we will be immediately installing more insulation to make the building more efficient.
“We will also be refreshing the cafe, car park and the Norwegian War Memorial, not to mention installing new tills, internet, displays, bike chargers and bike storage.
“The community is already rallying around and we are hugely grateful for the support and assistance we have already received to carry out this huge project.
“We can't wait to get on the ground to develop the site and tell the story of Glenmore.
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“We will be launching a crowdfunding campaign very soon to assist in fundraising and we appreciate any assistance that people can offer us to enhance and protect this amazing place.
The trust recently received £46,720 funding award from Cairngorms National Park Authority’s Climate Adaptation Fund to improve the centre’s energy efficiency and lower its carbon footprint.
Project leaders have said a ‘vibrant’ café refurbishment is in the works, ‘designed to bring more warmth, style, and character to the space’.
The trust is also developing plans for a cycle-friendly hub to promote active and sustainable travel into Glenmore and the Cairngorms.
The FLS operated visitor centre will still remain open for information from 9.30am to 4pm daily until the end of next month.
An FLS spokesman said: “It's been a great privilege to welcome thousands of visitors over the years for coffees, information, events, and exhibitions and we're excited to see the next chapter in the story of Glenmore Visitor Centre unfold.”