North Coast Visitor Centre In Thurso Next Stop For Spirit Of The Highlands & Islands Immersive Portal

17th October 2022

Photograph of North Coast Visitor Centre In Thurso Next Stop For Spirit Of The Highlands & Islands Immersive Portal

If you are looking for something different to do this October holiday, visit the North Coast Visitor Centre where Spirit of the Highlands and Islands will be showcasing the immersive portal until Saturday 22 October 2022.

The North Coast Visitor Centre, a great day out for families and visitors to the area, is one of four tour venues where people around the Highland and Islands can take part in the 360 degree immersive experience. The immersive portal is part of the Spirit of the Highlands and Islands, a project managed and operated by High Life Highland aiming to encourage responsible tourism and inspire visitors to the hidden gems within the region.

Using film specially captured for the project, children and adults of all ages are invited on a virtual journey across land, sea and air. The experience will take the visitor to places across the Highlands and Islands, finding locations off the beaten track, before seamlessly relaxing into a calmer experience of hidden gems including wildlife, snowstorms and seascapes.

In addition, VR (virtual reality) headsets will also be available to use as part of the ‘on the road' tour supported by Stagecoach, encouraging young people to engage and learn about tourism in their area.

Mary Dawn Mohun, High Life Highland's Engagement Officer for Spirit of the Highlands, said, "Having the immersive portal at the North Coast Visitor Centre during the school holidays is a great way to continue the learning journey whilst adding a uniquely engaging element. We have provided some fun worksheets for younger children to encourage them to write about their favourite journey within the Highlands and Islands, and also about their favourite place in the region. There is even an opportunity to win a family swim pass in our prize draw."

Susan Taylor, HLH's North Coast Visitor Centre Manager said, "We are excited to add a different element to our visitor experience over the October holidays and we look forward to welcoming new visitors as well as our local community to enjoy this unique activity."

The Spirit of the Highlands and Islands project is part of the Inverness Castle project which is supported by the Inverness and Highland City Region Deal, a joint initiative supported by up to £315m investment from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and University of the Highlands and Islands, aimed at stimulating sustainable regional economic growth.

The Spirit of the Highlands and Islands is supported by a grant from the Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund (NCHF) led by NatureScot and funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Reflecting the Spirit of the Highlands and Islands theme, it will encourage people to visit all parts of the Highlands and Islands in a sustainable way.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Today : Educational Institutions

Fewer Children, More Difficult Decisions: The Future of Highland's Schools

For many years Highland Council has faced difficult decisions over small rural schools.   Some have closed, others have been mothballed, and communities have often argued that a village school is about much more than the number of children sitting in its classrooms.  

Today : Local Authority

Glasgow’s 23,000 Council Workers Face a Major Pay Shake-Up

Glasgow City Council has taken a dramatic step in its long-running equal-pay dispute, giving notice that it intends to end existing pay arrangements for its non-teaching workforce unless an agreement can be reached with the trade unions.   Around 23,000 employees are affected.  

Today : Employment Services

What Are the Options for Scottish Pupils Who Do Not Want the Traditional Academic Route?

Parents of teenagers in England are being told that they will need to understand a new range of vocational qualifications as their children approach the age of 14.   The Career Development Institute has welcomed the introduction of new Vocational GCSEs, which are due to start being introduced in England from 2029.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

The £27 Million Energy Bill Facing Highland Council – And NHS Highland's Hidden Cost

Rising energy prices are a problem for households and businesses, but there is another very large energy bill that receives much less attention.   Highland Council operates one of the largest public-sector property estates in Scotland, while NHS Highland runs hospitals, health centres, clinics and other facilities across an enormous geographical area.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Public invited to Justice Service open days in Fort William and Wick

The Highland Council’s Justice Social Work teams in Lochaber and Caithness will be hosting open days in Fort William on Tuesday 6 October and Wick on Friday 9 October 2026.   The open days will provide members of the public with an opportunity to gain an insight into the Justice Service and find out more about the excellent work going on locally.  

23/9/2026 : Local Authority

Launch of New Transport Service for Renal Patients in Highland

NHS Highland and The Highland Council are pleased to announce the launch of a new bespoke year-round transport service for renal haemodialysis patients across Highland.   Funded through a grant from NHS Highland, the service marks the first phase of a new approach to patient transport delivery, designed to support the long-term development of a more sustainable, flexible and community-focused transport model for Highland.  

23/9/2026 : Local Authority

Economy and Infrastructure Committee to consider next steps on proposed Short Term Let Control Areas

Members of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee will meet next Monday (28 September 2026) to consider whether to progress proposals for new Short Term Let Control Areas across parts of Highland.   At the special meeting, councillors will be asked to consider the findings of a public consultation on proposed control areas covering Inverness City and a wider Highland Rural area, before deciding whether the proposals should be submitted to Scottish Ministers for approval.  

22/9/2026 : Local Authority

Scotland's Local Government Reform: More Local Power or Mainly a Search for Savings?

The Scottish Government is proposing a major reshaping of local government, with fewer regional authorities and many more community-level bodies making decisions closer to where people live.   The language is about local democracy, stronger communities and bringing decisions closer to people.  

22/9/2026 : Local Authority

Local Government Set For Huge Changes

Initial proposals designed to deliver fundamental reform of local governance have been set out to help shape the debate on improving public services.   The possible changes, if implemented, could help achieve a better balance of decision-making powers across the public sector to ensure investment is focused on delivering improved services.  

21/9/2026 : Local Authority

Council Tax Reform: Just How Many Scots Took Part in the Debate?

Council tax is one of those bills that most households know only too well.   It arrives every month or in a series of instalments, and it helps pay for services ranging from rubbish collection and roads to schools, social care and other council services.