In November 2023, Glenmore Forest Park in the heart of Scotland’s Cairngorms National Park marked a historic milestone: 100 years of public ownership. Acquired from the Duke of Gordon in 1923 by the newly formed Forestry Commission, Glenmore has evolved from a depleted timber resource into a vibrant hub of conservation, recreation, and cultural heritage. Its century-long journey mirrors the broader evolution of Scottish forestry, reflecting shifts from industrial timber production to sustainable habitat restoration and public engagement. In 2025, as Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) looks to the next century, Glenmore stands as a testament to resilience, innovation, and the enduring value of public forests. This article explores Glenmore’s rich history, its transformation over the past 100 years, and its ambitious vision for the future, drawing on insights from FLS, local communities, and conservation partners.
The Birth of Public Forestry: Glenmore’s Acquisition in 1923
The story of Glenmore’s public ownership begins in the aftermath of World War I, when Britain faced a critical timber shortage. The war had decimated forests, with German U-boats blocking imports and domestic woodlands heavily logged for trench supports, shipyard scaffolding, and coal mine pit props. Glenmore, nestled in Strathspey near Loch Morlich, was no exception, its forests heavily felled to meet wartime demands. In 1919, the Forestry Commission was established to secure a strategic timber supply, and in November 1923, Glenmore was purchased from the Duke of Gordon, marking one of the commission’s earliest acquisitions.
This purchase was a pivotal moment, not only for Glenmore but for British forestry. The acquisition signaled a shift toward state-managed forests, prioritizing long-term sustainability over private exploitation. At Glenmore, a large-scale planting programme began near Badaguish, creating new conifer forests, primarily Sitka spruce and Douglas fir, to replenish stocks. These efforts created thousands of forestry jobs, transforming the local economy and laying the foundation for Glenmore’s role as a public asset. The traction engines hauling timber through Strathspey in 1925, as documented by historian Mary Bruce, symbolize this era of industrious renewal.
World War II: Glenmore as a Wartime Training Ground
By the 1940s, Glenmore’s young plantations were still maturing, too small to harvest for World War II. However, the forest played a unique role during this period, serving as a training ground for Norwegian resistance fighters. After Germany occupied Norway in 1940, many Norwegians fled to Britain, and Glenmore’s rugged terrain—forests, mountains, and Loch Morlich’s shores—proved ideal for training in guerrilla warfare. Agents practiced bombing and sabotage, leaving remnants of disused railway lines near the loch, used for explosives training.
One notable trainee was Joachim Rønneberg, who led the 1943 Operation Gunnerside, destroying 500kg of heavy water at Norway’s Vemork hydro plant to thwart Nazi atomic ambitions. Rønneberg’s team skied 250 miles to safety in Sweden without firing a shot, a feat commemorated during his 2012 visit to Glenmore’s Visitor Centre, where he laid a wreath at the Kompani Linge memorial. The Women’s Timber Corps and Canadian Forestry Corps also worked in nearby forests, supporting the war effort by harvesting timber, further embedding Glenmore in Scotland’s wartime narrative.
Post-War Transformation: From Timber to Tourism
The post-war years marked a turning point for Glenmore, as its role expanded beyond timber production to recreation and conservation. In 1948, Glenmore was designated a Forest Park, recognizing its potential as a public recreational space. The Cairngorms’ sub-arctic conditions and dramatic landscapes drew mountaineers and winter sports enthusiasts, while summer visitors flocked to Loch Morlich’s beaches. By the 1950s, a campsite accommodated growing numbers, with overnight stays soaring from 2,588 in 1948 to 19,200 by 1951.
The 1950s also saw a whimsical addition: the reintroduction of reindeer, once native to Scotland. Mikel Utsi and Ethel Lindgren identified the Cairngorms as an ideal habitat, importing reindeer from Sweden. Today, the herd remains a beloved attraction, drawing visitors to Glenmore’s Visitor Centre. The 1960s brought further development, with a road built to Coire Cas for ski slope access, cementing Aviemore’s status as a tourism hub. By the 1970s, the campsite could host 1,000 visitors, reflecting Glenmore’s growing popularity.
However, this surge in visitors brought challenges. As early as the 1920s, The Press and Journal reported tourists wandering off paths, disrupting stalking seasons, and bathing in Loch Morlich, prompting ineffective “keep to paths” signs. By 2023, an estimated 300,000 annual visitors strained resources, leading to issues like antisocial behavior, fires, and vandalism. FLS responded by appointing full-time rangers to manage Loch Morlich’s beaches, where inflatable sofas and fire pits had become problematic.
Conservation and Restoration: A New Era for Glenmore
Over the past 40 years, Glenmore’s management has shifted from commercial forestry to a balanced approach prioritizing conservation. Since the 1990s, FLS has undertaken an extensive felling programme, removing 500 hectares of non-native conifers to restore the native Caledonian pinewood forest. Through natural regeneration and effective deer control, Scots pine forests are expanding, creating habitats for rare species like the capercaillie and recently released wildcats. This work, part of a 50-year vision to transform Glenmore into a native pinewood ecosystem, is projected to continue for another 15 years.
Glenmore’s conservation efforts are amplified by its role in Cairngorms Connect, a partnership with Wildland Ltd, RSPB Scotland, NatureScot, and others, pursuing a 200-year vision to enhance habitats across the Cairngorms National Park. This collaborative approach, involving the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Cairngorms National Park Authority, and local communities, addresses climate change, biodiversity loss, and visitor pressures. A 2023 report by Wildland Cairngorms highlighted positive outcomes, with five years of raptor data showing the benefits of ecological restoration.
The 2023 centenary celebrations underscored these achievements. On September 8, Environment Minister Gillian Martin joined foresters to plant a native Bird Cherry tree at the Glenmore Visitor Centre, symbolizing hope for the future. Martin praised Glenmore as a “unique location” embodying the evolution of forestry practices, from timber production to habitat restoration and carbon capture. Displays of old FLS maps, leaflets, and photographs at the centre highlighted this legacy, connecting past and present.
Challenges in 2025: Balancing Recreation and Conservation
As Glenmore enters its second century of public ownership, it faces significant challenges, particularly managing visitor pressure. The post-Covid surge in tourism, with 300,000 annual visitors, has strained facilities and ecosystems. Brian Duff, a senior FLS manager, noted in 2023 that “it’s a different challenge now,” with managing human impact a priority. Issues like litter, unauthorized fires, and damage to Loch Morlich’s shores have prompted innovative solutions, including ranger patrols and community engagement.
Climate change and biodiversity loss add complexity. Rising temperatures and extreme weather threaten forest health, while invasive species and deer overgrazing challenge regeneration efforts. FLS’s partnerships, such as Cairngorms Connect, aim to address these at a landscape scale, but balancing conservation with recreation and timber production remains a delicate task. The potential for community ownership of the Glenmore Visitor Centre and café, under discussion in 2023, could further align management with local needs, fostering sustainable tourism.
Glenmore’s Cultural and Historical Significance
Glenmore’s 100-year history is rich with cultural milestones. Named “Queen’s Forest” for King George and Queen Mary’s Silver Jubilee, it has hosted diverse activities, from sled dog rallies (ongoing since the 1980s) to wartime training. Core samples from Scots pines at Ryvoan Pass, some over 300 years old, reveal the forest’s ancient roots, while the 2020 replacement of the Cairngorm bridge over the Allt Mhor River reflects ongoing infrastructure improvements.
The forest’s role in Scottish identity is profound. As Minister Gillian Martin noted, “Forests like Glenmore are even more critical to our future, capturing carbon emissions and helping to mitigate climate change.” Its contributions to habitat restoration, species conservation, and public recreation make it a model for sustainable land management. The 2012 visit by Joachim Rønneberg and the enduring presence of the reindeer herd add layers of historical and cultural depth, making Glenmore a living archive of Scotland’s past and present.
The Next 100 Years: A Vision for Glenmore
Looking ahead, FLS envisions Glenmore as a thriving mosaic of native forests, open land, and wetlands, supporting biodiversity, recreation, and a sustainable economy. The Cairngorms Connect partnership’s 200-year plan aims to expand native pinewoods, enhance ecological processes, and mitigate climate impacts. By 2040, FLS expects significant progress in non-native conifer removal, with Scots pine regeneration creating resilient habitats for species like the capercaillie and wildcat.
Sustainable tourism is a priority, with plans to upgrade facilities at Loch Morlich and the Visitor Centre to manage visitor numbers while minimizing environmental impact. Community involvement, potentially through ownership models, will strengthen local stewardship. Innovations like the Cairngorms Connect Tree Nursery, highlighted by Lynn Cassells for World Soil Day 2023, will support native planting, ensuring Glenmore’s forests remain a carbon sink and biodiversity haven.
Lessons from Glenmore’s Century
Glenmore’s 100 years of public ownership offer valuable lessons for forestry and environmental management:
- Adaptability: From wartime timber to conservation, Glenmore’s evolving role shows the need for flexible land management.
- Collaboration: Partnerships like Cairngorms Connect demonstrate the power of collective action in addressing complex challenges.
- Public Value: As a public asset, Glenmore’s accessibility and cultural significance underscore the importance of state-managed lands.
- Sustainability: Balancing recreation, conservation, and economic needs requires innovative solutions, from ranger patrols to native planting.
These lessons resonate in 2025, as global efforts intensify to combat climate change and protect biodiversity.
Final Thoughts
Glenmore Forest Park’s centenary in 2023 was more than a celebration—it was a reflection on a century of transformation and a call to action for the future. From its 1923 acquisition to its role in wartime training, tourism, and conservation, Glenmore embodies the evolution of Scottish forestry. Its native pinewood restoration, vibrant visitor economy, and cultural heritage make it a jewel in the Cairngorms National Park, cherished by locals and tourists alike.
As Forestry and Land Scotland charts the next 100 years, Glenmore’s story inspires hope. Through partnerships, innovation, and community engagement, it is poised to thrive as a model of sustainable land management, capturing carbon, protecting wildlife, and welcoming visitors to its ancient forests and lochside shores. In 2025, Glenmore stands as a beacon of what public ownership can achieve, proving that with vision and dedication, our natural heritage can endure for generations to come.