Forestry and Land Scotland's Visitor Centres open
Most of Forestry and Land Scotland’s (FLS) Visitor Centres, cafes, bike shops and recreation providers across south Scotland are open for business as per their usual winter opening hours.
However, members of the public are still being advised that the trails and forests around the Centres in south Scotland, are closed for public safety
Anyone planning to visit a Visitor Centre should check the website for up-to-date information and follow any links to the tenant business sites.
FLS teams across the south are giving priority to tree work on locations that provide an immediate risk to people or property with the focus then shifting to providing essential access for communities, neighbours and forestry business.
Leona Wilkie, FLS Head of Visitor Services & Communities, said;
“Our assessment and clear-up operations after Storm Arwen are ongoing so as yet we are not opening all of our forests and trails to visitors.
“We have no definitive dates for when all of our forests in the south can re-open. In some instances and depending on the extent of the damage we might still be looking at months or even years before some forests can re-open but ensuring a safe environment for our visitors is essential.
“We understand that this is disappointing for many people but our cafes are still providing tasty treats and bike shops and other recreation providers are operating in some capacity.
“The teams at the Centres and our tenant businesses have already managed to get through COVID-19 lockdowns and would welcome some support from members of the public as they try to weather the aftermath of Storm Arwen.
“Check our website for the latest information and opening hours before coming along.”
Glenmore VC, The Lodge at Aberfoyle and Queen’s View VC in Tayside are also open.
Notes to editors
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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.
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Media enquiries to Paul Munro, Media Manager, Forestry and Land Scotland Media Office 07785 527590 or paul.munro@forestryandland.gov.scot