Badaguish Centre to encourage outdoor learning
The Highland Council, in partnership with Northern Constabulary and with funding from the National Lottery, has negotiated the long- term lease of four lodges in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, which will give people of all ages the chance to enjoy the many outdoor activities available in the area.
The lodges are situated within the grounds of the Badaguish Centre, Glenmore, near Aviemore, which is owned and operated by the Speyside Trust, a local charitable trust established to help people with a disability enjoy the outdoors. The Council lodges can accommodate up to 63 people. Each has a fully equipped kitchen and a large dining/meeting area, making them ideal for residential activity courses.
Over the summer months, groups of young people from across the Highlands have already been making the most of the excellent facilities that the lodges offer.
The Highland Council’s co-ordinator Phil Swainson, said: “The lodges provide opportunities for all our community, but especially young people, to become aware of the environment, to learn to cherish and protect it and to take part in outdoor activities. All sorts of activities can be arranged including mountain and water sports, orienteering and cycling. The unique local habitats and wildlife also makes it an ideal base for environmental education with excellent local sites to visit, including the Highland Folk Museum in Kingussie.”
Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of the Council’s Education Culture and Sport Committee, said: “The Council Administration is committed to providing additional outdoor facilities for Highland people. These lodges are first class and located in a wonderful setting. We hope more schools groups and organisations working with young people will take advantage of our excellent lodges.”
One police officer who did much of the work on the project was Sergeant Willie MacLennan.
He said: “Northern Constabulary applied and were granted £150,000 from the Scottish Executive to put towards a Youth Outreach Facility. The Force identified a continuing need to have access to a facility that was fit for purpose to safely interact with and provide opportunities for children and young people which would provide a positive contribution to the communities we serve.
“We became aware of The Highland Council's desire to identify a new Youth Outdoor Facility and of the interest in Badaguish Outdoor Centre. Officers visited Badaguish and identified that the facilities on offer would provide the best available facility and was fit for purpose.
“The Council were approached and agreement was reached the Force would partner them in this project and combine the available resources to achieve the provision of a high quality, safe venue with the best facilities on offer to the children and young people of our area.”
The Council lodges are available at affordable rates to any organised groups in the Highland Council / Northern Constabulary area. This includes community organisations, voluntary clubs, church and uniformed groups.
Anyone interested in using the facilities should contact the Council’s co-ordinator, Phil Swainson on 01479 861734, e-mail phil.swainson@highland.gov.uk.