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.

Walking trails

We are coming to the end of a massive investment in the walking trails at Glentrool and Kirroughtree. Four paths in total have had a complete makeover allowing a far broader range of users to enjoy the area. The trails will be completed by the end of March and then it will be time to start opening up the forests and views along the routes. Please let us know your thoughts on the new trails. Please remember theses trails are designed for walkers not mountainbikers or horses so be a responsible forest user. Thank you.

New visixtor development

The consultation for the new developments at the three centres around the park took place on Friday. It was good to have such a great turn out and an overwhelming positive response to our plans. More consultation will take place once we have taken the information you gave us and developed the project further. Thank you all who took the time to come and see the plans. When we have something to show you all we will upload some drawings. Rapticon.

Stargazing - Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park

Here is a picture I took of tonights night sky from Kirroughtree visitor centre where we held our stargazing for beginners event tonight. Thank you to all that came along, some had traveled quite a distance.

We have more stargazing events coming up. Check out our website for details www.forestry.gov.uk/darkskygalloway

Yogi

Stagazing events coming up

Join us in the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park for some great Stargazing events.

Stargazing for beginners
23rd January and 16th February 7pm start - Kirroughtree visitor centre.

Dark Sky Park trip
27th January 6.30 - 9.30pm - Glentrool - at the old school Booking esential

Starlight Serenade
14th February 7pm start - Kirroughtree visitor centre

Visit our Galloway Forest Park website for more details

Yogi

Santa's Grotto at Kirroughtree VC

Here are a couple of photos taken at our Santa's Grotto and Real Christmas Trees Sales event today at Kirroughtree visitor centre.

Don't worry if you didn't manage to make it along, Santa will be there again tomorrow between 10.30am and 4pm.

And dont forget, as usual we also have a great selection of Real Christmas trees to buy too!

Yogi

ps thank you to the Newton Stewart Singers for the wonderful carols they sang at Kirroughtree again this year.

Autumn colour update

The Autumn colour across the park is now in full swing. The beeches have turned that lovely fiery orange and the oaks are close behind.

My favourite place in the Galloway Forest Park to enjoy Autumn colour is in Glentrool. From the minute you turn off the road from the village you are greeted by gorgeous beech trees. Head past the visitor centre and along to Bruce's Stone where you get to look down on the warm glow of the oaks along the Buchan.

But don't take my word for it, the next spare morning or afternoon you get head there yourself and enjoy the annual display. Just don't leave it too long because once the leaves have dropped your chance has gone for another 12 months!

hum... now where did I leave my tripod......!

Yogi