Memorandum of Understanding signed between trust and landowners at Glenmore
The future of a key gateway for Glenmore – the busiest spot in the Cairngorms National Park – will be in ‘safe hands’ once the local community takes over.
And local councillor and Highland Council convener Bill Lobban also said: “It is a place that should be special in the hearts and minds of people the world over as it played in huge role in the ultimate defeat of Hitler’s Nazi Germany.”
Another big step was taken earlier this week towards the Glenmore Visitor Centre handover to the Aviemore and Glenmore Community Trust by Forestry and Land Scotland. Representatives of the two organisations met on Tuesday to sign the Memorandum of Understanding – set to smooth the transition and help the trustees hit the ground running.
Paul Hibberd, FLS’ regional visitor services manager, told the Strathy: “Everyone knows how popular Glenmore is as a year-round visitor destination and FLS and AGCT are both here to provide a high quality visitor experience to the hundreds of thousands of people who visit annually.
“We have common aims and objectives and as we both work our way through the hand-over, the MoU will keep us right as to who’s doing what and when, and will make that process as smooth as possible.”
He said FLS will be helping the trust as much as possible: “We’ll be sharing our knowledge and experience of what visitors to the centre look for and what they expect to find.
“With more than a million visitors a year to the Cairngorm and Glenmore area, it’s a demanding role and we want to help the AGCT team hit the ground running.”
Trust chair Duncan Swarbrick, said: “We are grateful to FLS for their generosity in sharing their knowledge and experience as we prepare for the next chapter in the development of the Glenmore Visitor Centre.
“We are excited to implement our plans and look forward to working collaboratively with FLS in the future”
In March, FLS agreed to a successful Community Asset Transfer Request from AGCT to sell the Glenmore Visitor Centre and associated visitor car park. AGCT now has until September 30 to submit an offer.
The MoU clarifies that existing FLS interpretation and information materials within the centre will stay until it requires upgrading or updating or is no longer desired. Recognising that AGCT and FLS have their unique operating restrictions and policies, it helps to clarify roles and responsibilities for any future project.
It also confirms that the trust will take on responsibility for the WW2 Kompani Linge exhibition items and interpretation – including the memorial – and that the story will continue to be told.
That was all good news to local Highland councillor Bill Lobban who said: “Glenmore is a very special place and not just for its beauty…
“Members of the local community gather annually, on Remembrance Sunday, to pay homage to those members of the Kompani Linge who were prepared to sacrifice their lives in the defence of freedom. There is a simple yet fitting memorial to remember them.
“However, nothing positive can be said about current display in the visitor centre which does little if anything to increase the understanding, by locals and tourists alike, of the momentous achievement of these brave men.
“I feel assured that their memory will be safe in the hands of AGCT when they take over operation of the site and I would ask that an effort is made to hugely expand what is currently on display including increased contact with our counterparts in Norway who have always been very supportive. Let us never forget.”
Cairngorms Business Partnership chief Craig Mills was also positive about this week’s development. He said: “It is great to see that AGCT and FLS have taken another positive step in the handover of ownership of the centre.
“It’s a very popular destination for many tourists in their visit to the area and I am sure that the trust will continue to grow the offering for visitors and the local community alike.
“I am looking forward to seeing how we can work with each in other in future to promote it.”
