For Steve Macfarlane, Director at the Inn, has created a showcase facility which demonstrates how a traditional building, particularly one with historic connections, can aspire to the very latest in green credentials.
When Steve took over the property in 2007, he immediately had a very clear idea of the potential it offered for local tourism. His plans were ambitious and the scope of the refurbishment was enormous, but it was never an option to demolish and start from scratch. Steve explains why: "The original stonework of the main building bears the marks of a remarkable history. It still stands from 1746 when the English soldiers chasing Bonnie Prince Charlie, who escaped their pursuit from nearby Loch Nan Uamh, burnt it out, destroying its thatched roof and leaving only its outer shell which has been used through the generations since. It was right that we should preserve its place in local history and we have made a feature of the original stonework inside the Inn."
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While retaining the history of the building Steve has worked with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to develop a facility which will meet the needs of 21st century visitors. The social and economic development agency has worked with the business to create a growth plan and has supported the project with a grant of £180,000.
Steve commented: "We are very excited about the refurbishment as it is all about attracting people to the area and will provide a resource for development of local tourism, boosting the local economy, creating employment, and of course providing an exemplar of sustainability across the whole business."
(GK)
