Wildland Ltd to hold community engagement event to discuss future of Burr's site at Tongue
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A COMMUNITY engagement event is being held on Friday to discuss the future of the Burr’s site at Tongue.
Now owned by Anders Holch Polvsen’s conservation and eco-tourism firm Wildland Ltd, Burr’s of Tongue was a flagship mainland store built by Robert Garden, who set up an extensive business along the north coast in the early years of last century.
The Garden empire collapsed in 1932 and Burr’s was bought by Peter Burr.
Wildland had hoped to transform the site into a visitor destination with a restaurant, bakehouse, events space and microbrewery.
A planning application was lodged in December 2019, to which a number of objections were lodged. However, since then Wildland Ltd has appeared to have backtracked on the scheme.
At a meeting of Tongue Community Council in May this year, Wildland’s director of built environment Joe Dunn revealed the company was rethinking the project.
He said then: “I think the plans are quite grand and we need something more immediate in the short-term, something more suited to the rural community needs, something that reuses the buildings quickly.”
It is understood no work has been done at the Burr’s site apart from repairs to stop the buildings deteriorating.
Wildland has linked with the Strathnaver Museum to organise Friday's event, which will take place at Burr’s from 2pm-6pm.
A flyer for the event states: “The Burr’s site has played an important part in the history and community of Tongue.
“Please join us for an experience for all to enjoy, while sharing memories of the past and ideas about what the future of the community hub site could be.
“There will be an offering of food and refreshments, providing a moment for local family and friends to get together."
