Colin Prior and Anne Reece open the Wild Space
One of the world's most respected landscape photographers, Colin Prior, opened the John Muir Trust's new visitor centre, Wild Space, in Pitlochry, yesterday (Mon 22 April).
The opening was also attended by a range of other respected figures from the fields of conservation, mountaineering and tourism, including: outdoors author and broadcaster, Cameron McNeish; Maude Tiso; and the Chairman of VisitScotland, Mike Cantley.
Colin Prior, who more than anyone has captured the essence of Scotland’s natural landscapes during his decades as a professional photographer said: “All my life I’ve loved mountains, wild places and the great outdoors so I’m delighted to be part of this new visitor centre dedicated to the wild side of Scotland.
“For those who cannot personally experience the exhilaration of conquering our high peaks or hiking through rugged and remote terrain, the Wild Space will offer an insight into the wonderful world of wild, elemental nature and help people realise how important our wild places are.
“I congratulate the John Muir Trust for having the imagination and determination to create such a space, and I’m honoured to be opening the Wild Space.”
Mike Cantlay of VisitScotland, said: “In this Year of Natural Scotland, which also coincides with John Muir’s 175th anniversary, I’m delighted to welcome the launch of this innovative visitor centre. The Wild Space will be an important addition to Highland Perthshire’s repertoire of quality tourist attractions.
“By showcasing Scotland’s most fabulous wild places, and their associated wildlife, the new visitor centre can also help entice people to visit some of our more remote areas, which is good news for businesses that are a bit more off the beaten track.
“We look forward to working with the John Muir Trust to make the most of this great new facility in picturesque Pitlochry.”
Wild Space has been funded by generous donations from the Reece Foundation, the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, the Gannochy Trust and the Robertson Trust. The new Wild Space promises to bring a slice of the great outdoors indoors, providing an insight into the wild places of the Scottish Highlands where nature continues to resist what Robert Burns called ‘tyrannic man’s dominion.’
In a compact space, the new visitor centre features spectacular images by top landscape and wildlife photographers, film and audio journeys to different habitats, interactive and educational displays illuminating the ecology of Scotland’s wild land, and an art gallery. Located in the heart of picturesque Pitlochry just outside the Cairngorms National Park (and just off the A9) the Wild Space expects to attract 80,000 visitors by the end of 2013, bringing a significant tourist boost to Highland Perthshire.