HAPPY CAMPING FOR SCOTS (27/07/06)

Scots are set for a camping boost with £4 million being invested at five Scottish camping and caravan sites on national forest land.

The investment has been achieved through the transfer of the Forestry Commission's Forest Holidays business to a new joint public-private venture across Britain with the Camping and Caravanning Club.
The new partnership will continue to be known as Forest Holidays and in Scotland will use the funding for upgrading existing sites and exploring opportunities for new holiday locations.

There are four popular campsites on Forestry Commission Scotland land at Glenmore, Arrochar, Aberfoyle and Loch Lomond, and one fully modernised cabin site just outside Strathyre.
Welcoming the announcement, Scottish Forestry Minister Rhona Brankin said: "This is an innovative partnership amongst the public and private sector which will directly benefit those who enjoy taking their holidays in the great outdoors. The extra investment generated from the joint venture will give the Scottish sites another boost, providing holidaymakers with an even better holiday in the natural forest environment."

Gary Fletcher, Forest Holidays' chief executive officer, added: "This is a partnership where everyone is a winner. It paves the way for better managed sites with better facilities.
In turn, this will increase visitor numbers. "It will enable us to provide all the wholesome, natural education and entertainment of a forest environment, together with the very best in cabin, camping and caravanning facilities."