Forestry and Land Scotland to engage with communities on the future of Queen’s View

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is looking to offer a short-term let opportunity for the Queens View Visitor Centre allowing time to review options for the future of the popular tourist attraction.

The move comes after an internal review of FLS’s current visitor services offer and associated infrastructure as the organisation aims to optimise tourism, economic and community benefits when balanced against public expenditure.

Queens View is in an attractive setting and attracts around 86,000 visitors per year. FLS believes by working with local authorities and communities, a sustainable future can be secured for the site that continues to bring benefits for the community and public.

This may be in the form of a community body acquiring the site through the FLS Community Asset Transfer Scheme (CATS) process. If an asset transfer is not taken up, local communities will be engaged on other options to ensure any transfer of ownership or control takes into their needs and ideas.

David Leven, FLS' East Region Manager, said;

“With the café and shop at Queens View currently vacant, we are looking to attract an operator into the property on a short-term let basis. This will hopefully mean that visitors are catered for while a strategy is developed for the site in collaboration with partner organisations and local communities.

“Queens View is at the heart of the visitor experience in the area, and we look forward to working with and supporting local bodies in Killiecrankie, Rannoch and Pitlochry to realise the full potential of this much loved site and area for visitors and the local communities.

“We have seen many examples of how asset transfer can empower communities and deliver local benefits, including the Fairy Pools Car Park on Skye and most recently, at Dalerb on Loch Tay, where a new Crannog Visitor Centre and Museum will be built. However, if the site does need to eventually go to the open market, we still want local people and groups to be able to shape any future use.”

The site will shortly be listed for lease for up to two years. This will allow the buildings to re-open as quickly as possible and provide useful market information on options for the site as a viable business opportunity.

FLS is inviting any community body that has an interest in helping to develop a long term solution – including potential asset transfer request – to get in touch at fls.communities@forestryandland.gov.scot by Friday, 12 July 2024.

Further information on our CATS process, including useful links to sources of advice and support for communities is available at Community Asset Transfer Scheme (CATS). 

In the meantime, the Queens View public car park and viewpoint remain open.

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. Home - Forestry and Land Scotland.
   
   
2. Media enquiries to media@forestryandland.gov.scot