Rental plan gives hope for future of Killiecrankie visitor centre

The National Trust for Scotland has put the Killiecrankie Visitor Centre up to let amid fears that the building could be demolished.

The popular Highland Per thshire tourist attraction has been shut for much of the year.

But NTS bosses are not going to let the premises fall into disrepair and have put the building up for rent.

The visitor centre provides information about the area’s geology, wildlife and history, including the Battle of Killiecrankie and the nearby Soldier’s Leap.

Killiecrankie and Fincastle Community Council said the opportunity was an exciting one and that the future is “looking bright for our NTS visitor centre”.

A spokesperson for the group said: “The National Trust for Scotland are looking for someone to run the centre as a shop or café.

“Our hope from the community is that it will become a busy, welcoming place once more.

“We are delighted as one of the other alternatives was to knock it down and extend the car park.”

The National Trust for Scotland’s general manager for Edinburgh and east Scotland, Stuart Maxwell, said the centre will not be flattened as once feared by the community.

He said: “We’re looking at ways to refresh our presence at Killiecrankie so that we can offer visitors more and better information about the battle and the natural setting of the pass.

“We’ve been keeping the local community informed about our plans and explained that we’re not considering demolition of the visitor centre.

“Our proposals have received a positive response, and they include bringing for ward new investment in bright, engaging interpretation and signage that set out the events of July 27 1689, as well as aiding visitors to enjoy the local flora and fauna.”

He added: “We ’ v e rethought the purpose of the visitor centre and we’re inviting entrepreneurs to take the opportunity to run a thriving business, potentially including a cafe, from it.

“We ’ v e already had significant interest in the centre and we’ ll be ensuring that any business based in it will meet high standards and be sympathetic to the setting and history of the location.”

Currently, the site is open for visitors to enjoy daily but the visitor centre will remain closed for the rest of the year.

The toilet facilities at Killiecrankie are also closed.

“We’re not considering demolition of the visitor centre

Picture by Steve MacDougall. ATTRACTION: Killiecrankie Visitor Centre hosts events such as Jacobite re-enactments.