Plan to use old store to recall village's history

Kinlochbervie is a fishing village in the north west Highlands

A dilapidated harbour building in north west Sutherland could become a haven for visitors under a community-led restoration project.

Kinlochbervie Community Company has submitted plans to transform the location into a tourist hotspot.

The charity plans to take the roof off the old harbour store – but not replace it.

Displays called infographics showcasing Kinlochbervie's maritime history would be installed in the open air, surrounded by the building's original stonework with views towards the landscapes of nearby Loch Clash.

The property was formerly used for storing fishing nets and drying salmon.

The community company said the building was in such a "dangerous" condition it could be the last chance to revive it.

The area was a bustling fishing and goods delivery hub until the 1970s when a modern harbour opened on the nearby Loch Inchard.

Corrugated roof

Kinlochbervie Community Company has been involved in a number of community improvement projects since starting up in 2008.

It has refurbished several houses to be run by Highlands Small Communities Housing Trust, and worked to upgrade the village's internet.

Its previous project on Loch Clash transformed the historic fishing pier into a campervan stopover with fresh water, waste disposal and electricity.

A planning application for the store has been submitted to Highland Council.

The local authority's historic environment team said the plans to save the building were welcomed, but it has expressed a wish for the corrugated roof to remain.