A £10million masterplan has been unveiled to convert a disused quarry into a luxury tourist destination on Mohamed Al Fayed’s Highland estate.
Natural Retreats wants to build about 40 top-of-the range lodges at the Balnagown Estate, creating up to 20 full-time jobs.
The proposals have been on show at the Royal Hotel in Tain – and have been broadly welcomed by members of the local community council.
Millionaire Mr Al Fayed, who owns the estate at Kildary, first tabled the idea of redeveloping the old Logie Quarry site in 2002, with a view to building a number of five-bedroom homes.
Now, luxury accommodation provider Natural Retreats wants to build a mixture of two, three and four-bedroom properties at the 225-acre site.
A small cafe would also be incorporated into the project.
The idea is to offer guests and members of the public access to local outdoor pursuits such as fishing, walking and mountain biking.
Natural Retreats is aiming to submit plans by the start of the summer and, subject to the length of the planning process, start building in early 2017 with a view to opening in 2018.
Adam Gough, head of technical services for Natural Retreats in Europe, said: “We have had approximately 50 people attend (the exhibition) and have been extremely encouraged by the very positive feedback we have received.
“We are definitely trying to encourage engagement with the community. We will work with them and also local supply chains, local attractions, activity providers and create local employment of between 15 and 20 jobs.
“When developing we will also try to use local firms and when in operation there will be management positions, team leaders, workers in the cafe and housekeeping teams. We will also use local maintenance teams.
“We have done our analysis that something of this scale will bring between £950,000-960,000 of benefit to the community.”
Val Campbell-Smith, Invergordon Community Council chairwoman, said: “I am all for it because something we do need in the area is tourism.
“We have not got a lot else to take up so I really think we need these sorts of attractions.
“I do think the way they are looking at incorporating the lodges with the surrounding area is a good thing. I am very pleased with that.
“I have looked at some of the other places that they have and they do advertise very well for people who stay with them to go to hotels and restaurants in the local area.”
John Waring, Nigg and Shandwick Community Council chairman, was more cautious in welcoming the plans.
He said: “The area is in need of tourists. If their plans go ahead then I think that is a good thing for the area.
“But there are some drawbacks. Some people are concerned about the noise as the developers are talking about having weddings and late nights at the main building, which would create noise in a very quiet area.
“I thought the presentation itself was very low-key. It was just a board in a room. I would have expected say, some models of the area and something a bit more sellable.
“It did not strike me there was a massive enthusiasm behind it.
“Taking that all on board, if something like this can attract hundreds of tourists to bring money to the area, that is needed. If they can link up with the existing tourist attractions and facilities, such as the Cromarty Ferry trip when it comes back, then I will be pleased.”