Potential funding boost for Laggan Forest Centre

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The recent announcement by the Scottish Government of additional funding for Scotland's two National Parks was met with delight by communities across the Cairngorm National Park.

One of the facilities mentioned as a potential beneficiary is our very own Wolftrax mountain biking centre.

Laggan Forest Trust is a community-led charity which works in partnership with The Forestry Commission Scotland, which operates the popular mountain biking trails. The Trust has been developing plans for a permanent Forest Centre to replace the temporary facilities at the trail-head, and provide improved services and facilities to bikers as well as other visitors to the forest and the local community.

Robin Jackson, Laggan Forest Trust’s Development Manager commented “LFT, along with our partners, recognise the considerable growth of the mountain biking market and the potential for Laggan Wolftrax to build on this opportunity. The creation of the Forest Centre will draw more visitors to Laggan and create jobs providing services for them, thus providing benefits for the local community as well as the visitors who visit the area in their thousands each year.”

At the end of last year the previous tenants of the cafe and bike shop operating at Wolftrax did not renew their lease. The landlord, The Forestry Commission Scotland, has received numerous notes of interest and will assess the bids submitted by catering and cycling businesses at the end of January. The FCS aims to have facilities in place and operating for the start of the tourist season at Easter.

The trails themselves are open as usual, and until the new tenants are in place, The Laggan Forest Trust office is acting as an informal base where bikers can collect maps, ask advice or simply fill their water bottles. Visitors can contact the Trust at 01528 544366.

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Laggan Forest Trust would like to thank the following organisations for their support:
Awards for All
Leader
The European Agriculture fund for Rural Development. Europe investing in rural areas
Highlands and Islands Enterprise
The Scottish Government
Forestry Commission
Cairngorms National Park Authority
The Highland Council
The Robertson Trust

The Laggan Forest Trust, Laggan Forest Office, Strathmashie, Laggan, Inverness-shire, PH20 1BU

T: +44(0)1528 544366 E: support@lagganforest.com

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