AGCT's Bid for Glenmore Campsite Lease (PAST)

Important Update: AGCT's bid to secure the Glenmore Campsite lease was unsucessful. Following this, the Trust reevaluated its approach to achieving the long-term vision of community ownership/management in the Glenmore and focus shifted towards preparing an Asset Transfer Request for the acquisition of the Glenmore Visitor Centre and Cafe.

The latest updates are reguarding the current Glenmore Visitor Centre bid for community stewardship of Glenmore via an asset transfer request for the Glenmore Visitor Centre.

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AGCT’s Bid for Glenmore Campsite Lease

Aviemore and Glenmore Community Trust (AGCT) recently announced their intention to tender a bid to Forest Land Scotland to lease the Glenmore Caravan and Camping Park.

We are launching a fundraising campaign where you can support AGCT’s bid to lease the Glenmore Campsite. We have set a fundraising target of £5,000 to help cover some of the bid preparation fees - but most importantly, donations will demonstrate community and public support, helping to strengthen the Trust’s bid.

The site and business have been placed on the market based on a long-term 15-year lease with offers of over £315k being sought and with an annual rent of £190k.

AGCT’s intention is to run the campsite as a community enterprise where following initial reinvestment into the site to improve facilities; further profits would be used to help fund other community projects in the Aviemore and Glenmore area.

AGCT’s Chair, Duncan Swarbrick says, “Glenmore and Loch Morlich is an ever-popular destination for visitors and is right in the centre of a crucially important natural woodland close to all our hearts. If our tender is successful, it will provide a route for the local community to shape and influence the future of this area. Importantly, as a Scottish Registered Charity, all income will be used to improve the Glenmore facilities and support other projects to benefit the community and visitors alike.”

The campsite lease being placed on the market is an opportunity for the Trust to manage an income-generating asset and to retain the wealth within the local community. The Trust has met with residents of Glenmore and has their support to make a bid.

Scott Flemming, the owner of the Pine Marten Bar and Scran, which is on the shores of Loch Morlich and helps to serve the campsite, said "Please make this happen. After a meeting the other week with some of the community trust members and locals, we are 100 per cent behind this bid and believe it would be a great thing for the whole local community as well as for visitors to the area."

The Trust has been greatly encouraged by the level of support received following the announcement to submit a bid, with many folks offering to donate to support the Trust’s tender.

You can donate here via our GoFundMe page to show your support.

All donations are greatly appreciated and will help demonstrate community support, strengthening the Trust’s bid for Glenmore.

We thank you for your support!

About AGCT

Aviemore and Glenmore Community Trust was established in October 2017 as a Company Limited by Guarantee and gained Charitable Status in October 2021. A voluntary Board of Directors manages the Trust with Duncan Swarbrick as Chair. The Trust is supported in its operation by a part-time Trust Co-ordinator.

In 2021, the Trust successfully fundraised to return an ice rink to Aviemore and now operates Aviemore Ice Rink, employing eight staff, all on a real living wage. Aviemore Ice Rink has been a massive success, with over 17,500 visitors enjoying recreational ice from October 2021 to May 2022. Aviemore Ice Rink will operate for the summer 2022 season, and the Trust is working towards increasing the ice pad size with the ambition to see a return of all ice sports to the local area.

AGCT Projects

AGCT works to develop and deliver projects which benefit the whole community and visitors alike. Our current projects are:-

• Glenmore Campsite Lease Bid - an opportunity for the Trust to manage and operate an income-generating asset and to retain wealth within the community

• Aviemore Glenmore Corridor Shuttle Bus – pilot a shuttle bus service to better connect the Aviemore and Glenmore corridor.

• Aviemore Ice Rink – to develop the ice rink from recreational ice to sports ice. To see the return of all ice sports, including curling, ice hockey and ice skating, and to be able to welcome back ice tournaments and events.

• Dalfaber Community Park – the Trust is at the early stages of an asset transfer application with Highland Council for land on Dalfaber Drive. AGCT is working in partnership with other community organisations to develop a community park which will provide a wide range of activities focused around both a wheeled sports/climbing area and a community hub area that will include community buildings and a garden/growing area

• Cairngorm Mountain – develop a framework for community ownership

For the latest updates and on how to support the Trust, please follow AGCT’s Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AviemoreGlenmoreTrust