Community bid to take over Cairngorms destination

Michael Dearman said community ownership of the centre would give local people a bigger say in the area

A popular visitor centre in the Cairngorms could be taken over by the local community.

Public body Forestry Land Scotland (FLS) have received an asset transfer application for Glenmore Visitor Centre and Cafe near Aviemore.

Aviemore and Glenmore Community Trust (AGCT) said owning the site would give it a bigger say in issues affecting the Glenmore area, such as housing, parking and transport.

The public will be able to comment on the application once it is published online by FLS.

Kirsty Bruce said profits generated at the centre would be reinvested in the community

AGCT already runs a small ice rink in Aviemore.

It was unsuccessful in a bid to take over Glenmore campsite, but is hopeful it can secure the visitor centre.

Treasurer Michael Dearman said the centre's long life had left it looking "a bit tired".

He said: "We want to make it more energy efficient.

"We would like to improve the cafe. We want to see more local produce and local suppliers."

Mr Dearman said AGCT had a very positive relationship with FLS and was hopeful its application would be successful.

AGCT co-ordinator Kirsty Bruce said profits from the centre would be reinvested in the community.

She said: "We've great support for this.

"That is really encouraging and really hopeful."

The centre is owned by public body Forestry Land Scotland

AGCT said it would use the centre to tell the history of Glenmore.

It said the area had supported small farms and a logging industry.

During World War Two, Norwegian commandos trained in sabotage in the area before a secret mission in 1943.

The unit, Kompani Linge, attacked a heavy water plant at Rjukan in Telemark, in southern Norway.

Nazis were using heavy water to control nuclear fission in their attempts to build an atomic bomb.