Craggan Outdoors - Member Spotlight

Craggan Outdoors
Craggan Golf Course, Grantown on Spey, PH26 3NT
01479 873 283 Contact: Keith Ballam
Winner of Fusion Aspire Award 2009
www.cragganoutdoors.co.uk E: info@cragganoutdoors.co.uk

Craggan Outdoors is based right beside the River Spey, and the Clubhouse at the heart of the site enjoys fantastic views of the Cromdale Hills and Cairngorms. The centre has one of the largest ranges of activities available at any activity centre in Scotland. These include archery, clay pigeon, climbing (indoor wall and outdoor crags), golf, gorge walking, high ropes, kayaking, massage, mini-quads, mountain biking, paintball, pony trekking, quad treks, raft building, River Spey canoe trips, team-building, white water rafting, yoga and a zip wire.

The target areas for growth at Craggan Outdoors are school groups and corporate events. Craggan Outdoors already attracts corporate business from a wide area, Aberdeen, Inverness & the Central Belt, but is keen to develop this side of the business. There is also opportunity to make strategic partnerships with hoteliers and other industry supplier.

Business is growing which is surely a great achievement in the tough economic times and Craggan Outdoors regularly compares their progress with the same trading weeks in the previous year.

Keith views the new Government's review of what are often over-zealous health and safety policies that Councils adopt on top of Health & Safety Executive's universal Adventure Activities Licensing Service (AALS) as potentially a very positive thing for the outdoor sector & his business. He hopes that a more common-sense approach will make it easier and less bureaucratic for schools to organise visits to activity centres and other similar trips. It could also potentially save public money by removing costly 'paper trail' duplication by Councils of the AALS role. Keith has lobbied The Treasury to this effect to advise that an opportunity exists for savings to made.

The new Curriculum for Excellence, which places increased emphasis on experiential & shared learning experiences, is also potentially a good driver to push more schools to include outdoor activities in their timetables. Craggan Outdoors is certainly ideally placed to give children great experiences in a fantastic environment.

Craggan Outdoors ended 2009 as TripAdvisor.com’s top rated “thing to do” in Scotland, & remains in that position as the 2010 season progresses. Craggan Outdoors was also the only activity centre to be shortlisted for 'Best Visitor Experience' in the prestigious Highlands & Islands Tourism Awards 2009.

Craggan Outdoors also support Water for Kids which is a small charity providing safe water, sanitation and health education to children in developing countries. To raise money for this great cause Craggan Outdoors is holding a Corporate Challenge Day on the 12th of September. Teams of six can enter for £150 per team which includes a BBQ lunch and sessions are available during the morning or the afternoon. Just contact Keith to book your team and look forward to a morning or afternoon filled with challenges.

Visit Craggan Outdoors Website here
Visit Craggan Outdoors Facebook page here