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

Yesterday : Local Authority

Are Chromebooks Taking Over Our Classrooms? Highland Schools Face Questions About Digital Learning

The use of Chromebooks, laptops and other digital devices in schools was once widely regarded as an important step towards modernising education.  Giving every pupil access to technology promised to improve learning, widen access to information and prepare young people for a world increasingly dependent on digital skills.  

6/11/2026 : Local Authority

Secret HQ Move: Is Highland Council Chasing Savings or Just Shuffling the Deck?

A storm is brewing behind closed doors at Glenurquhart Road.  Recent private discussions have revealed plans for Highland Council to potentially abandon its historic headquarters and relocate to Great Glen House, the current £13 million base of NatureScot.  

5/11/2026 : Local Authority

Committee to consider 1 April 2027 start date for Short-Term Let Control Areas

Members of The Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee will be asked to agree that Short Term Let Control Areas (STLCAs) for Inverness City and Highland Rural come into effect from 1 April 2027.   The recommendation to the Committee follows the decision by Scottish Government Ministers on 26 October 2026 to approve designation of the STLCAs, which are an important tool to manage future loss of housing stock, support sustainable communities and balance housing needs with the visitor economy.  Chair of the Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans, said: “Following Scottish Government approval, the Council can now move forward with implementing these STLCAs, which will help us strike a better balance between supporting tourism growth and protecting much-needed housing for local people.  

6/11/2026 : Local Authority

Key decisions made to improve Highland Bereavement Services

Members of the Communities and Place Committee have made key decisions that will improve affordability and choice within Highland bereavement services at Inverness Crematorium; and introduce stronger governance and transparency for charitable funding applications through the crematorium metal recycling scheme.   Members also approved the adoption of a standardised burial management plan across Highland which will ensure compliance with new national burial management legislation.  

6/11/2026 : Local Authority

Council-owned D&E Coaches delivers £700k profit while supporting Highland transport

D&E Coaches has recorded a £700,000 profit after tax in its first full year under Highland Council ownership.   The Council purchased the coach and bus operator in March 2025 to support the ongoing provision of sustainable and reliable transport services across the Highlands.  

6/11/2026 : Local Authority

Abandoned Vehicles Policy approved by Highland Councillors

Members of The Highland Council’s Communities and Place Committee have approved a new Policy on Abandoned Vehicles that will provide a framework for investigating, assessing and enforcement against abandoned vehicles across the region.   Chair of Communities and Place, Cllr Graham MacKenzie said: “I welcome this new policy which will help to make a difference in communities where the nuisance of abandoned vehicles arises.  

6/11/2026 : Local Authority

Funding success builds on Highland Council’s commitment to warmer, energy efficient homes

Climate Change Committee Members have welcomed news that The Highland Council has successfully secured external funding in the region of £5.4 million for 2026/27.  This grant funding will support retrofit and decarbonisation programmes for eligible owner occupier, private rented and Council owned houses across the Highlands.  

6/11/2026 : Local Authority

Council to commission independent review of licensing

Members of The Highland Council have today approved the commissioning of an independent external review of the Council’s licensing arrangements following a Council motion approved on 17 September 2026.   The review will consider governance, decision-making processes and opportunities for improvement.  

5/11/2026 : Local Authority

Additional school in-service days agreed - Helping teachers prepare for major curriculum changes

Local councils will be able to request up to two extra in-service days this academic year, so that teachers can prepare for the most significant curriculum changes in more than a decade.   The Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) which brings together the Scottish Government, local authority body COSLA, and teaching unions has agreed up to two additional in-service days, which will form part of multi-year support for implementation of the updated curriculum.  

5/11/2026 : Local Authority

The Payday Heist: Why Your Payroll System Might Be a Fraudster’s Easiest Target

Imagine a dedicated employee logs into their bank account on payday, only to find it completely empty.  When they contact HR, the records show their salary was successfully processed but sent to an entirely different bank account.