Work on new £12m hotel and retail resort set to start in summer
A HIGHLAND tourist attraction has taken a major step forward with the announcement of a raft of suppliers.
The planned £12 million hotel, retail, and food resort, at the Tomatin junction off the A9, has revealed details of some of the suppliers who will be helping bring the project to fruition.
Key suppliers for the Tomatin Trading Company project include Blyth & Blyth Engineers, Norr Architects of Inverness, and Thomson Bethune, quantity surveyors and project managers.
The centrepiece of the proposed new venture, which will showcase a range of Highland food and drink companies, together with retail businesses, will be a 97-bedroom hotel.
Alongside this will be a 200-seat restaurant, farm shop with a “stop and go” kiosk, petrol station to service motorists coming on and off the A9, and a number of other shops.
It is estimated that at least 100 new jobs – a mix of full and parttime managerial jobs in retail and hospitality roles – will be created on the launch of the Tomatin resort, with more following as the development establishes itself.
Tomatin managing director William Frame said: “We are delighted to be at the stage of appointing key suppliers and contractors for our exciting new development here in the Highlands. Never have the new opportunities, jobs and investment in this area been more needed as the economy looks to recover from the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We have an opportunity to create what’s known as a DIOR – a destination in its own right, a high-quality ‘stop-off’ of choice for both tourists and locals from all over the Spey Valley, Inverness, and the surrounding area.
“We’re also delighted to hear that bidding has been announced for the Tomatin-toMoy section of the A9 dualling. It will be fantastic news for tourism that this section is to be upgraded, improving the local infrastructure and attracting more visitors. Our development will be even better placed to capitalise.”
Local Independent Highland Councillor for the area, Duncan Macpherson, added: “It would be most welcome news to see this development commence in early summer, especially as this is going to be a very challenging year for the whole country. The news would be warmly greeted by the local community around Strathdearn, with the creation of a variety of well-paid, full and part-time local jobs right on their doorstep, on completion of the build.
“In addition to tradesmen jobs during the construction phase, this development will bring a welcome boost to the local rural economy in Inverness South, for local food and drink producers, plus many local suppliers.”
Chris Taylor, VisitScotland regional leadership director, said: “This is an encouraging step forward for tourism in the Highlands. The last year has undoubtedly been the most challenging on record for tourism and events businesses and continues to be so but consumer trends still show strong demand for the Highlands in the future.
“This investment into the overall Highland tourism product is very positive news and as domestic – and regional – tourism increases in popularity among visitors, locations such as this, showcasing local food, drink and retail will be very popular. Visitors are still keen to explore our scenery, landscape, culture and heritage when it is safe to do so. I hope it will encourage people to discover what’s on their own doorstep.”