| Date -30 Aug 2005 | Return to previous page |
OPENING OF SPEYSIDE WAY VISITOR CENTRE
The new Speyside Way Visitor Centre in Aberlour will be officially opened by Councillor Eddie Coutts, the Convener of the Moray Council on Tuesday 30th August 2005 at 12 noon.
The new Centre is located on the old station platform adjacent to the Alice Littler Park in Aberlour and will prove to be a major attraction to both users of the route and visitors to the area. The total cost of the Centre was in the region of £200,000, with most of the money having been raised from the sale of the Speyside Way’s former base in Craigellachie. Facilities include modern offices and state of the art Interpretive and Orientation Displays.
The Speyside Way has been developed and funded over the years by the Moray Council, Highland Council, Scottish Natural Heritage and the European Community Economic Development Fund. It is currently managed by the Moray Council under guidance of a joint Management Group comprising representatives from both local authorities, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE)
Moray and now the new Cairngorms National Park Authority. All partners have contributed to the funding for the new Visitor Centre.
Councillor Bob Wilson, Chairman of the Speyside Way Management Group said, “The opening of the new Visitor Centre sees the culmination of a lot of hard work over the past three years from concept to design. The facility will most certainly prove to be a major asset in the promotion of the Speyside Way and will attract many visitors to the area”.
Councillor Eddie Coutts, Convener of the Moray Council said, “I am delighted to see the Visitor Centre completed. This is an excellent example of how partnership working has achieved the successful completion of an extremely worthwhile project which will attract many new Speyside Way users and tourists to the area”.
Jim Strachan, Speyside Way Manager said, “The Speyside Way now has the ‘state of the art’ interpretive facilities for the public and the modern office space for staff to which we have aspired for many years. This combination has given the Speyside Way a focus of which all involved in the project can be justifiably proud”.
Kelley Birnie, SNH Area Officer said, “The Visitor Centre is well placed for people using the Speyside Way as well as for people who are passing through the area. Visitors now have the opportunity to get a greater feel for the entire Speyside Area via the Centre”.
Kirsty Conti, CED Co-ordinator said, “The new centre will substantially enhance the visitor experience and increase the positive effect the Speyside Way already has on the local economy”.
Pete Crane, Senior Visitor Services Officer with the Cairngorms National Park Authority said, ”This new Centre acts as a gateway into the Cairngorms National Park providing a wealth of information about the Speyside Way and the surrounding area. Walking is the most popular active pursuit undertaken by visitors to the Cairngorms and this new facility will help to inform and inspire all those who venture along the Spey”.
Contact: Joyce Pirie, Public Relations Co-ordinator on 01343 563046