Brand new luxury self-catering apartments with indoor leisure facilities are to be built at Latheronwheel, Caithness.
Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE) has awarded City Centre Estates (Leisure) Ltd a funding package to turn a group of derelict buildings in the village into three, four-star standard holiday homes with swimming pool.
CASE has pledged financial support totalling £115,900, which includes £51,000 from the European-funded HIE Standards programme. HIE Standards is a Network-wide initiative designed to help accommodation providers invest in the upgrade of their premises in a bid to attract and meet the needs of today's discerning travellers.
City Centre Estates (Leisure) Ltd has ambitious plans for the properties. Managing director, Avi Wejurka explained: "As a frequent visitor to the far north I had noticed these lovely B and C Listed buildings at Craiglea and thought it was a terrible shame that they were falling into a state of disrepair.
"Our business specialises in the conversion and upgrade of old buildings and I have employed local architect Neil McDonald to help me convert the properties into luxury self-catering accommodation.
"Each property will feature two or three bedrooms - with one of the bedrooms being en-suite - fully fitted kitchens with all modern conveniences and living rooms with beautiful views over the village and the Caithness countryside. Of course, the best feature is the indoor swimming pool with jacuzzi and sauna."
Mr Werjuka added: "I am very grateful to Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise for their support and to Alan MacLeod of the AmcL Group for his assistance in raising the finance."
The project, which is costing over £460,000, is set to create at least four full-time equivalent jobs in Latheronwheel - a rural village with limited employment opportunities.
A full-time facilities manager will be the first appointment made and part of their job will be to organise a package of activities for visitors such as sea angling, loch and river fishing and golf.
These special interest packages are set to be the highlight for guests visiting the new development. Guests will be treated to a celebrity chef if they choose to take part in culinary courses or if fishing is their preferred activity, they will benefit from expert tuition from a top angler.
Chief executive of CASE, Carroll Buxton said: "The creation of tourist accommodation or the extension of existing visitor accommodation is not something CASE normally supports. However, this project is providing a unique form of accommodation which is not widely available within the Highlands."
"We also think this is a very worthwhile project because it will bring these old buildings back into economic use, and improve the general environment of Latheronwheel."
