Angus councillor quit as leisure trust director over plans to close visitor centre

An Angus councillor has called for the Glen Doll visitor centre to remain open after revealing she quit her Angus Alive role over plans that could see the centre shut.

This comes after a recent report revealed that the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) plans to cut £20,000 of annual funding to Angus Alive.

It was further detailed that national park bosses want to take ranger services back under their own control.

However, under the proposals, CNPA say they do not require the Glen Doll visitor centre.

Angus Alive says it cannot afford to operate the centre and plans to hand it back to the council.

The proposals went before councillors at a communities committee meeting on Tuesday.

Councillor quits Angus leisure trust over Glen Doll plans

However, the proposals proved contentious with some elected members.

It was revealed during the meeting that Independent councillor Serena Cowdy stepped away from her Angus Alive director role over the possible closure of the centre.

She said: “I quit as a director of Angus Alive over this issue of handing back the ranger centre.

“I’m really disappointed Angus Alive couldn’t see a use for this building going forward.”

She added: “I feel a physical base is really, really important in that area, for the toilet provision, for the engagement opportunities with new people.

“Interpretation boards do something, but they don’t provide that central hub for people walking in, maybe educational opportunities, and also being a physical point of contact and a sanctuary if people get in trouble up the glens.

“I know we can’t stop Angus Alive handing this facility back to us.

“But I will be in future meetings pressing very strongly to maintain a physical base there as a nature-focused educational centre.”

Community use hopes

The accompanying report reveals that CNPA cut funding to Angus Alive from £30,202 to £20,000 in 2025/26, and it will cease permanently on April 1.

The national park authority’s plans involve a permanent year-round ranger at Glen Doll and a full-time seasonal ranger from April to October.

There will also be a part-time ranger at weekends from May to September, and a trainee ranger will move from Deeside to Angus.

Council bosses say it would cost around £10,000 a year to keep the public toilets open.

Councillor Beth Whiteside added: “I think the council taking over the building creates opportunities and I’m sure we can find a good use for it going forward.”

The proposals were unanimously backed by councillors.