New pastures for the popular Cairngorms reindeer centre
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Plans have been lodged that will see a unique attraction in the UK get a new look if approved.
The Reindeer Company Ltd has lodged a full application with Highland Council’s planning service in Kingussie for the demolition of the existing paddocks and replacement with visitor centre along with parking at its Glenmore home.
The new building 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.
Reindeer Company boss Tilly Smith said: “It is really exciting and the local stakeholders – in particular Forestry and Land Scotland – are very supportive...
“Our remit is that we want a new centre but we do not want it to be too architectural exciting. What the visitors really want to see is the reindeer.
“It has been a long time. Myself and Alan (husband) took on the herd in 1989 and immediately used part of Reindeer House as our reception and retail area and the reindeer in the paddock.
“But over time it has become possibly dated and disjointed with people coming in one end and then having to come out and go to the other end of the house.
“We just felt that 33 years on the time is right to make something a little bit more special.”
Mrs Smith said that if all goes smoothly then they would like to start work on the new visitor centre early next year.
“We would try and do the project in the late winter and early spring so that it does not disrupt business for ourselves and the area as well.”
They will still be able to conduct hill visits to see the reindeer and the reception area will remain open. There are usually reindeer in the paddock from the beginning of April through to the New Year for visitors to see.
Mrs Smith said: “We will lose having reindeer in the paddock for a little while but there is not a lot we can do about that if we want to build this centre. It is something that we have wanted to do for a long time.”
There will be a single south facing slopes roof on the proposed development.
Mrs Smith said: “Everything will go into the new centre and Reindeer House will revert to a domestic dwelling which is what it was built for in the first place.”
Mikel 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. Mrs Smith said: “I think most people will welcome this new building. It is a beautiful area Glenmore and it is only right that we have an up to scratch little visitor centre.”
Planning agents Oberlanders have said the proposal will rationalise the facilities at Reindeer House with the aim being to improve the visitor experience and upgrade the staff welfare provision.
They state in their report: “The scope of works includes a new visitor centre and paddock walkway with integrated interpretation to improve and update the visitor experience and upgrade the staff welfare.”
The proposal includes the demolition of the existing walkway and visitor shelter as well as new visitor parking and lift access from road level to the paddock entrance.
A proposal for the extension of the Old Logging Way has also been incorporated.
Aviemore Community Council is very supportive of the bid after discussing the application.
Watchdog chairman Peter Long has said: “It is recognised that the Reindeer Centre is an iconic local business and the need to upgrade the current premises is understood.
“The proposed development is sensitively designed and in keeping with its surroundings in a sensitive but high profile location.
“Our meeting welcomed the development and was happy to support this application in principle.”
