Sheep stock club's plans for tourism development at Durness take step forward
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A remote north west Sutherland community at risk from depopulation has entered 2021 with the prospect of an exciting new development which could revitalise the area.
Plans for a visitor complex including brewery, distillery, cafe and restaurant, near to Durness and the North Coast 500 tourism route, have taken a major step forward.
Keoldale Sheep Stock Club has now applied for full planning permission for the development, which was first unveiled in March 2019 and could create up to 18 full-time, part-time and seasonal jobs.
David Morrison, a shareholder with the club and its honorary business adviser, said: “We applied for outline planning consent in 2019 and it has been slow going since then.
“But we have finally got all our ducks in a row after being delayed not only by the coronavirus pandemic but also by having to fulfil certain requirements, such as a bat survey.
“We are now going for full consent and hopefully should get it. It has all been slightly slower than building the Great Wall of China but we are getting there!
“It will be a major tourism development that will hopefully help retain people in the area and encourage them to spend more money as well as provide employment.”
Established in 1922, Keoldale Sheep Stock Club tenants the 27,500 acre Keoldale Estate which was purchased by the British Government as part of its Land Fit for Heroes legislation following World War I.
The estate, now in the ownership of the Scottish Government, stretches from Sandwood Bay to the Kyle of Durness and includes extensive agricultural buildings set amidst stunning scenery at Keoldale close to the Cape Wrath Ferry.
Concern for the future of Durness, which has a population of around 400, led the sheep stock club to come up with the visitor centre idea.
A design statement reads: “The school roll, which stood at between 35 and 40 for many years, is now severely in decline and it is anticipated that without a significant retention of young people, it could drop to as low as four.
“There is a great lack of opportunities for the younger generation who have to seek a living elsewhere and few return.”
“The most urgent need, therefore is to create employment for the young so they can continue to live in their native area, raise families and continue the life of the village.”
The new development is to be located at the 19th Century steading complex on the banks of the Kyle of Durness.
It is intended to develop the buildings as a rolling programme with the visitor centre, café and restaurant and brewery being the priority, followed by the distillery in the second or third year.
The club is also suggesting it could support a tourist information centre and a local archive centre.
Arbroath based firm Voight Architects have drawn up design plans and say it is hoped to retain the “rural characteristics” of the steadings.
Durness Community Council has given its seal of approval to the project, stating that it could “provide jobs and attractions that are lacking in the area and help provide for increased numbers of tourists”.
North, west and central Sutherland councillor Linda Munro previously welcomed the development.
She said: “It’s a super idea and much needed, not only to attract visitors to the area but also to enable them to discover it.
“It’s a win win all round. B&Bs will win and it will add to Durness’s already well known and world respected tourism.
“It will increase employment and the skills set, as I assume a brewery brings in a fair mix of skills.”
