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Scourie Rock Stop
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Proposal code: THC-2026-07-190
The Scourie Rock Stop will be a unique, community-led geology, learning and visitor hub (Geocentre) located in the centre of the village on community owned land .
Estimated Cost
Not yet known
ROCK STOP GEO-CENTRE, SCOURIE
What?
The Scourie Rock Stop will create a high-quality, free to enter, landscape experience that interprets the globally significant geology of the UNESCO-designated North West Highland Geopark and permanently house the world-class, geologically significant and visually stuning Shelley Collection of 3000 rocks, minerals and fossils. The model will be a simplified commercially realistic Circa 200m2 building plus serviced external space, delivering a three-tier offer: a free core experience, paid guided experiences, and premium travel-trade products, complemented by paid parking/motorhome bays, retail and outsourced food/beverage concession
Working closely with key partners we will build an Exhibition/Visitor Geo-centre which will attract and retain tourists, locals and travellers alike. The centre will provide a destination stop on the busy NC500 promoted tourist route curretly lacking in the provision of any similar large scale development capable of engaging public interest across the age divide. The Centre will provide a quality experience, a signposting service for local businesses and the area as a whole providing employment, the income generated assisting the provision of essential community services
Who are We?
A legal partnership between Scourie Community Development Company (owners of the site) and North West Highland Geopark
Why?
Whilst a tourist hot spot, North West Sutherland suffers badly from the effects of depopulation, the years 2011-2021 saw a 14.3% reduction in resident numbers, unless we provide quality jobs and suitable affordable housing this trend will continue, our school and local services will diminish to the point where living in a remote community such as ours becomes unviable
Positive Impact;
By creating employment and engaging regularly with both local residents and partners, the Centre will act as a catalyst within the area for economic growth, signposting services to other businesses, and increase local spend brought about by the extended length of time spent in the area collectively, this will result in a stronger, more vibrant community
Key Milestones:
Initial feasibility study by Phillips Aitchison (on behalf of NWHG)
Purchase of the Doctors Park (Geo-centre site) by SCDC with assistance from the Scottish Land Fund
Purchase of the Shelley Collection into community ownership via a long term lease from the Duke of Westminster
Next steps - resubmit new cost appropriate plans for planning approval
Secure both private and public sector funding with a view to completion by late 2028
Costs
Business Plan close to completion showing capital costs Circa £2.3million based on 2026 prices with possible private sector funding of £1.625 million
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