The popular Sutherland visitor centre Falls of Shin, which cost £1.4 million to build, is up for sale for a quarter of the price.
The tourist attraction, near Lairg, has been put on the market by community working group owners The Kyle of Sutherland Trust.
The Falls of Shin site – which was previously owned by businessman Mohammed Al Fayed – burned down in May 2013, leading to 19 staff being made redundant.
Formerly referred to as “The Harrods of the North”, Falls of Shin, which has a cafe, restaurant and gift shop, was very popular with tourists and at its height attracted about 160,000 visitors a year.
The Kyle of Sutherland Trust led plans to build a new £1.4 million facility with it reopening in May 2017.
However, despite efforts of the Trust to find tenants to assist with the running of the cafe and restaurant it closed in 2020 curtailed by Covid.
It is now being offered for sale for just £350,000.
Falls of Shin buyer can ‘trade immediately’
Selling agent Barry McNeil, from Cornerstone Business Agents, said: “The availability of the subjects in turnkey condition offers motivated buyers the ability to open and trade nearly immediately.
“The facilities and public areas have benefited from a considerable capital expense in near past allowing operators solely to focus on offering guest/tourists and locals the best in term of service.
“The space lends itself perfectly to a number of different operations and trading styles.
“Prospective purchasers should also be aware and consider the quality of the recent build ensuring that significant capital spend on the property has been future proofed for some time.”
Salmon viewing a draw for visitors
The sale also includes the Falls of Shin salmon viewing platform which attracts circa 100,000 visitors a year.
The brochure states: “The café and gift shop are next to the Salmon viewing platform.
“In May to September every year, it is possible to see North Atlantic Salmon leaping on the river Shin.
“The Falls of Shin Restaurant and shop was built to capitalise on the increased visitor numbers and assist with a better experience for the tourists.”
The children’s play area, large car park with EV and electric bike chargers and motor home parking are among the some of the items not included in the sale.
The new attraction was funded by a combination of Big Lottery Funding, £1.05million, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, £200,000, Highland Council, £100,000, and £30,000 from Lairg, Creich and Ardgay Community Council from their SSE Achany Wind Farm Community Fund.
The Trust announced plans to sell the attraction in February this year deeming it “not financially viable or sustainable”.