Scourie Rocks exhibition centre project 'shovel ready'

An ambitious project which it is hoped will bring employment and other benefits to a remote north west Sutherland community, has taken another step forward.

The £4 million Scourie Rocks exhibition centre and visitor attraction was granted planning consent in October.

And now developers Scourie Community Development Company (SCDC) have announced that Highland Council has granted a building warrant.

An image of the warrant was posted on the group’s Facebook page along with a note of thanks to the design and project management team.

A post stated: “The project is now shovel ready and work begins to put together the construction funding package."

The planned attraction would be community managed and would display the world-renowned Donald Shelley Collection, comprising rare crystals, rocks, minerals and fossils. It will also include a café and climate change education centre.

The collection is owned by the Duke of Westminster who is loaning it to SCDC.

Financial support from Highland Council Coastal Communities Fund and Highland and Island Enterprise and others has enabled the project to reach the stage it is at.

SCDC chairman Neil Macdonald said: “The pandemic has delayed our project but we are pleased to have achieved this milestone in the face of adversity.

“We are grateful for the support of the funders and the work of the design and management team during this difficult time."

He added: “The north-west Highlands is the cradle of geology and the rocks which can be seen along the coastline are among the oldest in Britain, thus Scourie is the right place for the new visitor centre.

“We hope that it will be a centre for learning for schools and universities from all over the UK as well as an amenity for local people to enjoy all year round. Importantly, it will act as a catalyst for the regeneration of the area which has an ageing population, falling school rolls and a low wage economy."

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.