Plans have been submitted for a long-awaited community facility and regionally significant visitor attraction in Scourie that would give an internationally important geological collection a permanent home in the North West Highlands.

The proposed centre, on the NC500 route, would combine a dedicated exhibition space, a retail area, outdoor covered seating and an accessible and flexible community facility, while creating a new operational base for the North West Highlands UNESCO Global Geopark.

The facility will also provide a permanent showcase for the Shelley Collection, a collection of rare crystals, rocks, minerals and fossils acquired by Grosvenor to help keep it in the region.

The scheme has been developed by Grosvenor, which manages the neighbouring Reay Forest Estate, in partnership with Scourie Community Development Company (SCDC) and the North West Highlands UNESCO Global Geopark. 

If approved, it would support the resilience of the local rural economy by strengthening the region’s visitor offer, creating opportunities for local businesses and suppliers, expanding the area’s cultural and educational provision, and providing a flexible asset for community use.

The updated proposal builds on the earlier scheme, which received planning permission in 2020, but has been revised to reflect the changed economic climate. 

Grosvenor has supported this latest project from the outset, funding development and lending professional support to project-manage the scheme through to the planning submission. It has also committed a funding package worth over £1.6m to help deliver the facility, including a £1m legacy through the spend-out of the Anne Duchess of Westminster’s Fund (ADWF) – part of the Westminster Foundation – which supports charitable projects in places where the late Duchess lived and had an interest.

Nicholas Dobbs, Head of Grosvenor Rural Estates, said: Scourie Rocks represents an important opportunity to create a lasting community asset while celebrating the remarkable natural heritage of the North West Highlands. It is another example of how Grosvenor seeks to create lasting value in the communities where we operate, supporting the local rural economies beyond our own boundaries. We have been proud to support the project over many years and hope the new plans can help unlock the remaining support needed to bring this much-needed facility to life.

Subject to planning approval, some final funding is still required to enable the project to be completed.

The landmark scheme has been designed by Highlands-based businesses, reinforcing its local character and supporting the regional economy.

Its distinctive single-storey building has been sensitively designed to sit within the surrounding landscape, with timber cladding and a striking red corrugated roof typical of rural buildings found across the region.

The building has been designed to reduce energy use and environmental impact where possible, with air source heat pumps, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, locally sourced materials and supply chains, and biodiversity enhancements including tree and shrub planting, bird and bat boxes, shelters for hibernating wildlife and integrated habitat features.

Dedicated parking would also be provided for a range of visitors, including cyclists, electric vehicle users, overnight campervan visitors and motorcyclists.

The proposed site, known as the Doctor’s Park, was purchased by SCDC in 2016 using a grant from the Scottish Land Fund.

Neil MacDonald, Chair of Scourie Community Development Company, said: “This proposal has the potential to deliver something of real and lasting value for Scourie: a flexible place for the community, a stronger welcome for visitors and a new way to share this area’s extraordinary natural story. We are grateful for the continued support of Grosvenor and ADWF as well as the North West Highlands Geopark in helping move the project forward.”

Pete Harrison, Chair of the North West Highlands UNESCO Global Geopark, said: “A dedicated base in Scourie would strengthen our ability to interpret, protect and promote one of the world’s most important geological landscapes. The Shelley collection would be a significant addition to the region’s education and visitor offer, helping more people understand why this landscape is internationally recognised.”