Mountain biking and archery to safeguard oldest Scots ski resort

Published on Wednesday 4 November 2009 21:14

MOUNTAIN biking and archery could become common on the slopes of Scotland's oldest ski resort, which opens for business this weekend following another rescue deal.

A consortium, which is headed by Falkirk-based Andy Meldrum stepped in at the 11th hour to save the Glencoe centre just ahead of the new season.

With poor snow affecting skiing in recent years, Mr Meldrum is considering investing in snowmaking facilities, mountain bike tracks and an archery range, so the resort is not so dependent on winter conditions in future.

His consortium of ski enthusiasts bought the resort for an undisclosed sum, following a 3,000-name online petition calling for it to be saved.

Glencoe was Scotland's first commercial ski centre when it opened in 1956, but has struggled to maintain operations without summer attractions such as the funicular railway at CairnGorm Mountain or the gondola at the Nevis Range – its nearest ski rival some 35 miles away – which has attracted international mountain biking championships.

Glasgow investment fund manager David Campbell, who ran the White Corries facility at Glencoe for five years, put it on the market in March. There had been fears it might not open this winter after Mr Campbell initially failed to find a buyer or attract new investors. The plight of the business, 30 miles south of Fort William, had previously prompted him to urge the Scottish Government to do more to help the snow sports industry.

Many local people, including MP Charles Kennedy, said that closure would be a major blow and hopes lay in finding a last-minute private buyer.

Mr Meldrum, 41, a former surveyor who also has worked in recruitment, marketing and public speaking, runs his own company, AM-Distribution. In 1994 he started a Kleeneze catalogue business.

The new owners confirmed yesterday the resort would open on Sunday and announced plans for future investment, saving 36 full-time and seasonal jobs.

Mr Meldrum said: "The best way to safeguard and develop skiing at Glencoe is to explore snowmaking, to ensure that the centre is less dependent on the vagaries of the Scottish climate.

"We are planning further development of the resort as a year-round facility, with new mountain bike trails and bike hire, an adventure play-park, dry ski slope and archery range being on offer for the 2010 summer."

Bobby Munroe, the resort manager, said the deal was great news for UK snow-sports enthusiasts, for Scottish skiing and for local employment.