Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is looking to negotiate a 12-month contract extension with catering provider, Cobbs, to ensure that Glenmore visitor centre and café remain open as a community buy-out bid is assessed.

The move comes after it became clear that an asset transfer request to purchase the visitor centre and café by Aviemore and Glenmore Community Trust (AGCT) could not be completed and processed in time to allow continuous operation.

FLS has been working with AGCT and providing the Trust with all the necessary information to complete its application and business plan.

Paul Hibberd, FLS Regional Visitor Services Manager, said;

“Our current contract with catering supplier Cobbs is due to end shortly - well before an asset transfer request to purchase the site could be completed.

“We would not want to leave visitors disappointed to find that the centre and café were closed so we are looking to negotiate a contract extension with our current supplier until the end of October 2024.

“This will give AGCT time to see their application through the process and, if successful, to effect a seamless hand-over in the running of the visitor centre and café and we look forward to receiving its application.”

A decision on the Trust’s formal application for the purchase of the Glenmore Visitor Centre is expected to be made by spring 2024. The request will be published on FLS web pages for anyone to make a representation.

A market valuation of the Glenmore Visitor Centre and Car Park was recently carried out  and accepted by FLS and AGCT.

Duncan Swarbrick, AGCT Chair, said;

“We are working hard to put develop a robust proposal and to develop our long-term plans and our vision for the Visitor Centre and welcome the fact that the café will continue to operate while we complete this process.”

Notes to editors

1. Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) manages forests and land owned by Scottish Ministers in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry; conserves and enhances the environment; delivers benefits for people and nature; and supports Scottish Ministers in their stewardship of Scotland's national forests and land.

2. forestryandland.gov.scot | twitter.com/ForestryLS

3. Media enquiries to Paul Munro, Media Manager, Forestry and Land Scotland Media Office 07785 527590 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.