Glentress gears up to become the Borders top tourist attraction
David O'Leary • Published 1 Jul 2011 09:30
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FORESTRY Commission Scotland's new visitor centre in Glentress Forest has opened for business.
The new state-of-the-art development, known as Glentress Peel, will cater for the 300,000 plus visitors that flock to the forest every year, making it the top tourist attraction in the Borders.
All built on fully sustainable principles and using timber from the forest, the new centre offers modern facilities including a large café, bike shop, bike hire and an orientation building with changing rooms, showers and toilets.
Hugh McKay, Forestry Commission Scotland's recreation and tourism manager for Dumfries and the Borders said: "Glentress Peel is quite a stunning site with four iconic buildings and we're sure that visitors will be really interested to see inside for themselves.
"The facility isn't just about bikes, we have a cafe, nature walks and an orientation building featuring nature exhibits also. There's something for everyone."
"We'll be working hard with our business partners Alpine Bikes and GT Restaurants to keep Glentress Forest a very welcoming place to go."
The Glentress Peel development is set in 12 acres of landscaped
greenspace, connected by paths and a road. New car parking for 150 vehicles has been created and new interpretation panels will help visitors learn more about the forest.
Scotland's leading independent cycle retailer, Alpine Bikes, were chosen by the Forestry Commission to open a retail unit on site offering bikes, clothing and accessories.
Shop manager Simon Todd said: "We're already seeing a large number of visitors and shoppers and this will only increase as the summer progresses. The facilities here are second to none, really impressive."
Meanwhile, the on site cafe is run by GT Restaurants Ltd, a new Peebles based company which has been set up by Claire and Olivier Bony, the owners of the Glentress Hotel.
They already run a number of businesses including the hotel's restaurant and self catering units in Peebles.
Olivier said: "The building itself is amazing and has really proved a hit with those who've come in already. This facility will offer a massive boost to tourism in the Tweed Valley."
More details on Glentress Peel can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk/glentress
This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 01 Jul 11
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