It was razed by fire just short of five years ago.
But locals came together and, in a labour of love, created a new Falls of Shin visitor centre on the scarred Sutherland site where the “Harrods of the north” had stood.
And now, their hard work has been rewarded with a nomination for a prestigious architecture award.
The visitor attraction has been shortlisted for a Scottish Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) Award 2018 in three categories – Community Benefit, Design Through Innovation, and Tourism and Leisure.
Built by local charity the Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust and designed by local architect Catriona Hill, the unusual building is based on the concept of a salmon, inspired by the fish regularly seen leaping at the falls.
Helen Houston, from the Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust, said, “The new Falls of Shin visitor centre opened on May 13 last year and by mid February 100,000 people had visited the building. It’s becoming a well used part of the community, which is exactly what we hoped for.
“We were fortunate because we had the most amazing team who bought into the idea that this was about creating a sustainable community facility. It’s wonderful that this has been recognised.”
The previous Shin Falls visitor building was branded the “Harrods of the North” under the ownership of Mohammed Al Fayed, who continued to operate it even after he had sold the Knightsbridge store.
After being destroyed in a fire in May 2013, Falls of Shin Visitor Attraction has come to the attention of the Rics awards, also known as the property Oscars.
Catriona Hill said: “CH Architecture are delighted to be nominated for the awards particularly given the strength of this year’s entries.”
Chair of the RICS Awards 2018, Scotland judging panel, Colin Smith of Turely, said: “This year we have received some extremely diverse and outstanding projects from all over Scotland. Each and every project showcases the exceptional talent behind these buildings of our future.
“The variety of projects highlights the development that is happening right across our nation and I am confident 2018 will be a hotly contested year. I look forward to celebrating the successes of Scotland’s exceptional talent and projects at this year’s ceremony in April.”