New partnership to create landmark visitor site in Caithness

Three organisations committed to developing and enhancing the north of Scotland for residents and visitors have agreed to pool their resources in a formal collaboration.

The Flow Country Partnership – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – UHI North, West and Hebrides, and the Caithness Broch Project have agreed to work together on the site intended for the first broch to be built since the Iron Age as a new visitor attraction.

The Broch Project, a charity operated entirely by volunteers, has submitted a planning application to build a replica broch as a visitor and educational facility at a site near the village of Latheron. The Flow Country Partnership and UHI North, West and Hebrides have agreed to join the project on the site to develop other sustainable tourism and research options.

One idea being considered is that the site could become the official eastern gateway for visitors to the Flow Country. The World Heritage site is very close to where the replica broch would be built, just off the main A9 road.

The Flow Country Partnership chairman, Graham Neville, said: “This is an excellent opportunity for The Flow Country World Heritage site’s globally important blanket bog to be interpreted and showcased alongside the incredible cultural heritage, traditions and history which strengthen deep connections between the land and the people. These aims are shared with the Broch Project and UHI, and I’m confident this collaboration will benefit all three organisations and Caithness.”

The Environmental Research Institute (ERI) is based in Thurso and is part of the University of the Highlands and Islands. It seeks to advance understanding of contemporary environmental issues.

Professor Stuart Gibb, Director of Research & Knowledge Exchange, said: “We aim to ensure that our work has tangible value to society, and I’m confident this collaboration will help UHI’s mission of having a transformational impact on the region’s economy, people and communities.”

The chairman of the Broch Project, Pete MacRae, said: “It’s great to see how eager all three organisations are to work together to develop a fantastic opportunity for visitors and locals at a location tourists tend not to stop at. We all believe we can create a great new site to bring sustainable, environmental, economic progress to Caithness.”

The Broch Project will show people the archaeological heritage of Caithness, while the Partnership will explain the world environmental significance of the Flow Country.

The Caithness Broch Project is raising funds to purchase the site from the local landowner, who is a keen supporter of the charity. Interest and donations for the project have been sent in from around the world. If you’d like to donate to the purchase of the site, please visit the website: https://www.thebrochproject.co.uk