National Trust for Scotland proposal for £2.3m 'gateway to nature' development at Corrieshalloch Gorge in Ross-shire – visited by up to 100,000 people a year – lodged with Highland Council
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PLANS for a £2.3m "gateway to nature" attraction in Ross-shire have been lodged with Highland Council.
Conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland intends creating a visitor experience at Corrieshalloch Gorge.
Its vision of "sensitively-designed" new visitor facilities on the site of the historic suspension bridge include toilets, wi-fi, a blue loo for camper vans, improved parking facilities and paths, wayfinding and interpretation around the National Nature Reserve.
The project will also help with the safe and sustainable management of visitors to the National Nature Reserve, ensuring that Corrieshalloch’s built and natural heritage is well-cared for now and in the future.
The scenic attraction has seen an increase in visitor numbers since 2012 to more than 100,000 annually.
Corrieshalloch is one of the most spectacular gorges of its type in Britain offering striking evidence of how glacial meltwater can create deep gorges.
It is a short drive from Ullapool and around an hour from Inverness and is accessed via the A832.
Clea Warner, general manager for the National Trust for Scotland in the Highlands and Islands said: “After a really helpful online session with the local community in March, we’re now taking another important step in this project and submitting our plans formally to Highland Council.
“This is a significant project for the area which will enhance facilities for the community and visitors, and help ensure that Corrieshalloch Gorge, a place that we all love, gets the protection it needs.”
The £2.3 million project has secured £923,277 funding from the Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund.
It’s part of a new near £9 million Scottish programme of projects to invest in the Highlands and islands to provide more and better quality opportunities for visitors to enjoy natural and cultural heritage assets.
The Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund is led by NatureScot is part funded through the European Development Fund.
The Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund will encourage people to visit some of the more remote and rural areas and create and sustain jobs, businesses and services in local communities. The purpose of the fund is to promote and develop the outstanding natural and cultural heritage of the Highlands and Islands in a way that conserves and protects them.
Led by Catriona Hill, Oberlanders Architects were appointed, along with, David Narro (Civil & Structural Engineers), Rybka (Mechanical and Electrical Engineers) and Horner & Maclennan (Landscape Architects) to provide design team services for the Corrieshalloch Gorge Visitor Centre
project.
Gardiner Theobald are providing project management and quantity surveying services.
Oberlanders chose their Highlands and Islands’ design team based on excellent previous working relationships and experience of similar projects within rural locations. Oberlanders have extensive experience that will influence their approach on this project, including the Falls of Shin Visitor Centre near Lairg, North Pier Harbour Building (Oban), Scourie Rocks Geotechnical Centre and Strathnaver.
