Old Lodge House gets £84k upgrade
Lodge ideal for businesses or activity retreats
A new facility has opened at the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, near Aberfoyle.
Forest Enterprise Scotland have created a new activity hub, offering a get-away-from-it-all meeting space, in the The Lodge House.
The property was built in the 1960s as part of the Lodge Forest Visitor Centre, near Aberfoyle, and was originally the site warden’s house.
Now the listed building has been refurbished with the help of a grant of more than £80,000 from Sportscotland.
Will Huckerby of the FES team in Aberfoyle, said: “It’s a fantastic little facility that is ideal for business meetings, school groups, or outdoor activity groups.
The fully accessible building can take groups of up to 20 people and has everything you’d expect – wi-fi hook up, presentation equipment and event some catering facilities.
“It’s a peaceful, inspiring setting but is also the ideal spot for a fully interactive forest experience. There are extensive forest and hill trails on hand and opportunities for wildlife viewing.
“There’s also the Lodge Visitor Centre with its café, shop and interpretation centre.”
The development has been made possible through Forest Enterprise Scotland, Scottish Government’s Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund, local community and business groups and Loch Lomond andTrossachs National Park education and planning teams.
Sportscotland chief executive Stewart Harris said: “The development of the activity hub is a great way to encourage links between schools and clubs and help them to make the most of the fantastic outdoor environment that Scotland has to offer. That’s why we were delighted to invest £84,000 from the Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund in this innovative project.”
The project also received support from Pick Everard, JM Architects and Marshall Construction.
The hub is now open for yearround booking. Call 0300 067 6615 or email: thelodge@forestry.gsi.gov.uk