Groups seek support for closure-hit Falls of Shin Cafe takeover ahead of deadline
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A public consultation has been launched this week to explore interest in the Falls of Shin Cafe being retained as a community asset ahead of a make-or-break November deadline.
Lairg and District Learning Centre and Kyle of Sutherland Hub are seeking support for their bid to save the closure-hit visitor centre from private sale, after it emerged last week that current owner Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust (KoSDT) have been given until November 30 to identify a community group to take over the running of the facility.
The Falls of Shin Visitor Centre, comprising a 60-cover restaurant and gift shop, has been closed over the past two years with current owner KoSDT unable to appoint an operator. The trust has lost more than £50,000 as a result of it not trading.
The trust bought the Falls of Shin site in 2016, three years after a blaze destroyed a restaurant and gift shop previously owned by former Harrods boss, Mohamed Al-Fayed.
The charity received more than £1 million towards its redevelopment from the Big Lottery Fund Scotland as well as £100,000 from Highland Council’s capital discretionary fund.
Allaying fears that funding would have to be paid back in the event of an asset transfer, the lottery – who are keen for the centre to remain in community ownership – have stated that they will not seek to recover any funds for the remaining asset liability period.
The lottery also said that they will support any interested local community group to develop a business plan. There will be a cut-off date applied to this process of November 30.
A last-ditch effort is now being made to find a community owner before a final decision on whether to sell or not will be made.
Lairg and District Learning Centre and Kyle of Sutherland Hub has stated that it will aim to reinvest any money made back into the project itself, running the business as a community-run cafe, with supported staff members from a range of backgrounds, serving quick, simple, affordable snacks and coffee.
The centre's proposal also includes plans to offer community workshops and classes, making the most of the natural environment, with suggestions such as foraging, nature walks, fly-tying and Gaelic in the wild.
Irene Mackintosh, chair of the board at the learning centre, said: "The Falls of Shin is one of the most beautiful natural sites in Scotland, and a place that is dear to the hearts of many. We understand this is no small undertaking, and that there is significant risk attached to it all. But there has been so much hard work to bring this to the community, that we desperately want to try and save it for generations to come. We think that combining community learning with ice cream might be one of those ways!"
Hayley Bangs, chair of the board at Kyle of Sutherland Hub, said: "We’d love to see this space run as a not-for-profit enterprise – a community space run by the community, for the community.
"There are lots of successful models out there, from Artysans in Inverness, to Social Bite, which was started by someone from Dornoch.
"Not-for-profit doesn’t mean something isn’t viable as a business – it’s just a community-first approach. We’re hoping the combined knowledge of running the hub and the learning centre has given us some helpful insights."
Ms Mackintosh added: "This isn’t just about generating a profit. We need the building to be able to stand on its own, of course, and we know how hard this is. But we’ll measure our success a wee bit differently. If we can make ends meet successfully, and if local people are there, sharing a coffee and maybe trying a new activity together, then we’ll feel like we’re winning.
"We hope that tourists too, will love what we do and will want to join in. It’s about all of us.
"If the consultation shows that this isn’t of interest to people living here, and if folk really don’t mind if it’s sold on, then we’ll definitely hear that message. However, if people are keen, then we’re already working on a business plan to offer up as an alternative to private sale. We’re ready to roll our sleeves up together to make it work."
Jamie Stone, Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, said: "It will be interesting to see the findings of the consultation. I'm always supportive of community projects and especially if they involve coffee in beautiful places."
The consultation is available online through Facebook at facebook.com/lairglc, and will also be available in printed form in numerous places, or by contacting either organisation directly.
For more information contact consultation@lairglearningcentre.org.uk
- In an earlier version of this story, we said that Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust had lost £500,000 as a result of the Falls of Shin Visitor Centre not operating over the past two years. The figure – which has now been corrected – should have been £50,000. We sincerely apologise for this error.
