Scottish climbers who love scaling trees but are less fond of falling out of them without a harness have been flocking to forest adventure company Go Ape in recent times.
In 2014 the company welcomed a total of 50,000 visitors across its Scottish sites in Aberfoyle, Peebles and Crathes Castle near Banchory, Aberdeenshire – an increase of 18% year on year.
It has 28 sites throughout the UK and offers activities using a range of apparatus, including swings, tree-top rope trails, zip-lines and Segways, depending on the location.
The Aberdeenshire branch of the business lays on the Tree Top Adventure option, which is open to prospective Tarzans 10 years of age and above, taller than 4’7″, and lighter than 286lbs.
The adventure lasts two to three hours and costs £25 per 10 to 15 year old, and about £30 for anyone older than 16.
In total, 820,000 people visited Go Ape’s UK locations last year, boosting revenues 28% to £18.2millon.
The company put its Scottish success down to the “feel good factor” created by last year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Last year the company also rolled out its new non-tree-related venture, a £2million indoor trampoline park in East Kilbride.
Go Ape managing director Jerome Mayhew said the trampoline park, Air Space, is already exceed his company’s expectations.
“As a result we have exciting plans to roll out the concept to a number of new sites across the UK,” Mr Mayhew said.