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

14/10/2026 : Local Authority

Highland Council's Offices: Go Digital, Bring in Mobile Offices and Save Money?

The banks have closed branches across the Highlands and customers have adapted.  With Highland Council facing serious financial pressures, is it time to rethink permanent offices and take council services directly to the people who need them? There was a time when going to the bank meant visiting a branch.  

12/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
The Highland Council is ready for winter - are you?

Highland Council is urging community groups to ‘apply now’ for its Winter Resilience Programme if they want grit bins in their local communities.   The Highland Council’s winter service starts on Wednesday 14 October and the Council is ready to treat - according to its policy - the 6,787km of roads for which it has responsibility.  

10/10/2026 : Local Authority

France's Schools Are in Revolt. Is Scotland Any Better?

Class sizes, teacher shortages, school buildings and the pressure on teachers reveal a more complicated picture than politicians' headline figures suggest.   Protests over the state of schools in France have raised questions that parents in Scotland might recognise.  

6/10/2026 : Local Authority

When Tourists Take the Homes: Is Europe Losing Its Housing to Tourism?

Tens of thousands of people have been protesting across Spain over the country's housing crisis, with rapidly rising rents and the growing influence of tourism among their biggest concerns.   The protests came after the Spanish parliament rejected government measures intended to strengthen tenant protection and restrict some forms of short-term rental accommodation.  

5/10/2026 : Local Authority

Still time to return Latheron, Lybster and Clyth Community Council election ballots

Anyone eligible to vote in the contested Latheron, Lybster and Clyth Community Council election is reminded that their postal ballot papers need to be completed and returned in the pre-paid envelope provided by 12 noon on Thursday, 8 October 2026.   Candidates standing were invited to submit a statement to support their candidacy and these statements are provided in the envelopes mailed out along with the ballot papers to all eligible voters.  

2/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Julie Calder wins easily for Lib Dems in East Caithnes bi-election

Dave BUCHANAN Independent 714 Julie CALDER Scottish Liberal Democrats Elected Stage 1 1,522 Charlotte GIBSON Scottish Conservative and Unionist 79 John GLEN Scottish National Party (SNP) 424 Iain RICHMOND Reform UK 283# No further preference 0 Remainder not transferred 0 Total 3,022.  

2/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland Council proceeds to procurement for a new electric Corran Ferry

The Highland Council has reached another significant milestone in the delivery of a replacement Corran Ferry, with the procurement for a new electric vessel.   Funded through a £58 million investment from the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal, including £28 million from the Scottish Government for the new electric vessel, £20 million from the UK Government and £10 million from The Highland Council towards landside infrastructure, the project will deliver a modern replacement ferry service for one of Scotland's busiest single-vessel crossings.  

2/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Wick and Thurso Jobs secured and bus services strengthened through D&E Coaches acquisition

Highland Council-owned D&E Coaches has confirmed the acquisition of Stagecoach’s Thurso and Wick bus operation securing local jobs.  This will protect vital services and strengthening public transport provision across the Highlands.  

30/9/2026 : Local Authority

Reforming Scotland’s Councils: Should We Test One Region Before Reorganising Them All?

Scotland is considering one of the biggest changes to local government for a generation.  The Scottish Government has proposed replacing the existing 32 councils with between six and ten regional authorities, alongside somewhere between 120 and 160 community authorities.  

30/9/2026 : Local Authority

Scottish Cities Alliance Investment Conference to showcase Highland opportunities

Inverness will welcome government representatives, investors, business leaders and economic development partners later this week as it hosts the Scottish Cities Alliance Autumn Investor Event.  A two-day programme designed to showcase investment opportunities across Inverness, the Highlands and Scotland's city regions.