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

17th October 2022

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.