Forest adventure company Go Ape said it reached “new heights” in Scotland after more than 50,000 visitors swung through its trees during the 2015 season.
The Adventure Forest Group, which trades as Go Ape, said turnover at its three tree top adventure sites in Scotland grew 3% over the past 12 months, reaching £1.2million. The firm hailed the 2015 as a record – despite facing one of the coldest, wettest summers in years.
The firm has operated the Go Ape high-wire forest adventure course at Crathes Castle, which features a skateboard zipwire, since 2011. It also operates sites at Queen Elizabeth Forest Park in Aberfoyle and the Glentress forest in Peebles.
The company said revenue increased to £20million across the UK in 2015, an 8% rise year-on-year. In total, 860,000 customers visited Go Ape in 2015 across its 29 sites, which have been expanded in recent years to include facilities aimed at younger children, forest treks on two-wheeled Segway scooters and zipwire trekking adventures.
Suffolk-based Go Ape is planning further investment and growth in 2016 with the continued roll out of its “Tree Top Junior” services at existing locations. The firm said it also aims to bring new adventures to UK cities throughout the year.
Jerome Mayhew, managing director of Go Ape, said: “Despite one of the rainiest Scottish summers in history, we achieved a record turnover in Scotland in 2015, showing that regardless of the weather, there’s still strong demand for outdoor-based activities from Scots who love living life adventurously.
“Our Scottish customers can swing through the tree-tops on zip wires and tackle obstacles and rope crossings in the great outdoors, whilst enjoying some of the country’s most breathtaking scenery,” he added.