Businesses wanted to boost Galloway’s forest tourism

Artists Impression of the new
Kirroughtree Visitor Centre

Forestry Commission Scotland is looking for dynamic entrepreneurs to help run the new £4.5 million visitor services planned for Galloway Forest Park.
Expressions of interest are being sought to help manage the new tourism facilities which include a new visitor complex at Kirroughtree, a totally modernised centre at Clatteringshaws and an upgraded centre at Glentrool.

The whole multi-million investment is part of the Commission’s plan to grow the tourism market in the region. The new and refurbished visitor centres are all due to be up and running by the end of 2013.

The drive to pull in more visitors comes on the back of major tourism projects spearheaded by Forestry Commission Scotland, including the 7stanes mountain bike initiative and Dark Sky Park status.

Keith Muir, Forestry Commission Scotland’s tourism manager for Galloway said:

"A few years ago we recorded about 800,000 visitors were coming to Galloway Forest Park. Since then, the 7stanes biking project, new walking trails and the award of Dark Sky Park status have all boosted numbers. We are currently welcoming over one million visitors a year, making it a key visitor destination which has real potential for business development.

We are very excited about the new investment plans coming to fruition as we have been working on them in the background for a number of years.

We are looking for enthusiastic, dynamic businesses with a good understanding of tourism to join with us and really grow this market in Galloway Forest Park.

There are great opportunities here for local businesses and the wider tourism sector and I recommend all of them get in touch to find out more."

Galloway Forest Park was established in 1947 and is the UK’s largest Forest Park at over 97,000 hectares the equivalent to over 300 square miles. The area is ideally placed for more growth and there is a yet fully untapped market in the North of England, the central belt of Scotland and in Ireland.

Businesses wishing to express an interest and find out more details of the business opportunities on offer should log on to http://www.forestry.gov.uk/gallowaycommercial . All interested parties should register an interest by midday on 18th June 2012.

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Our Swallow chicks have now fledged! Four wee cuties, I was at the Glentrool visitor centre on Sunday and was fortunate to see them taking their first flying lessons!

This one (pictured above) started with a short flight from it's nest to a near by silver birch tree where it sat for ages. It was eventually persuaded to give flying another go by mum and dad who came flying passed with chirps of encouragement. It took to the air, did a couple of very small laps outside the centre and landed back in it's cosy nest.

I'm sure they will still be around the centre for a while so look out for them when you're next there.

Just leaves one question........ will the parent swallows try for another brood before they head back to Africa? We will just have to wait and see.

Y

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The swallows at Glentrool have babies!!!

We are not sure how many chicks there are or when they hatched, but we definitely saw a little beak that popped over the top of the nest when I was at the visitor centre today.

Barbara and Shona at the centre said that the parent birds have been back and forth a lot of late, probably with food for the little ones!

Still no pictures of swallows to post yet I'm afraid.

Yogi

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Our Swallows have returned to Glentrool visitor centre again this year and have been busily preparing their new home to raise a family. We would love to bring you live footage from the little camera outside streamed to the TV inside the centre, but guess where they have built their nest this year?!!

....That's right, on the little camera!! (we've decided that they have become camera shy!)

I will try and get a couple of photos of their new home and post them here shortly, along with progress of the growing family!

Y

Great weekend weather

The weather over the weekend was great for our Bird Calls for Beginners event. We had a lovely walk at Kirroughtree accompanied by lots of singing birds. If you missed it there is another event planned for the 10th July at Glentrool visitor centre 2pm start. Booking is essential and the cost is £5 per person which includes a tea or coffee when you get back to the centre. Yogi