YOUR VIEWS: Heritage hub will be an asset to Brora

Letter from Alistair Risk, Brora

I WAS disappointed to read about members of Brora community council expressing such concern over the potential creation of a true tourist attraction in the form of a museum that delivers historic detail and information through displays and using modern communication methods—a place where the growing number of Highland descendants can trace their family trees and their roots here in Sutherland.

Like everything we aspire to create these days, inflation is running away with costs despite trimming the envisaged scope of works many times, but such is life and the more the heritage society delays, the greater the cost increases will become.

As someone who has spent a lifetime in tourism including being the chairman of many tourist boards from the Lake District to Edinburgh and the Lothians, and who has lectured in such matters at colleges and universities, I would like to make a few observations on the new Brora museum.

The site is a good one on the A9 and adjacent to another attraction – Clynelish Distillery – so offering a double opportunity to stop in Brora.

The museum will be an added reason to visit Brora and to stay in Brora, and offers a wet weather option for tourists, something sadly lacking.

I note that it is suggested that it will offer three or four full-time jobs but I assume additional summer part-time work, BUT more importantly it offers an additional reason to stay in Brora for longer and boost employment in shops and hotels and accommodation suppliers. I am certain that it will not take business away from the existing shops etc.

At present the development group offers a very limited and a very seasonal tourist information service in far from ideal premises or location.

The museum could and should be a tourism hub for information and direct business to all local places of interest or service suppliers. It will boost local business and benefit the whole village and the surrounding area, encouraging visitors to leave the A9 and see the real Sutherland.

Brora has relied on golf and countryside pursuits for many years to provide wealth, employment and opportunity for local people, but it needs more, including history and how it connects us to others around the world and a quality museum properly marketed alongside our traditional assets could be key to a bright future.

The village can find ways to question change or anything new and are right to do so but they should be assured that the society and its expert officers (which does not include me – so no bias!) is doing everything it can to get things right and to deliver a potential gem that will make a positive difference to Brora.

Please don’t knock it but support it as once lost the opportunity is gone for ever.

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