Public agencies invest £1.8m in John O'Groats revamp

The John O'Groats hotel will be redeveloped in the first phase

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has announced a commitment of £1.8m towards revitalising John O'Groats.

The derelict John O'Groats hotel will be redeveloped and turfed roof lodges built nearby in the first phase of improvements.

Revamps of the LastHouseMuseum and Journey's End Cafe are also included in the initial stage of planned work.

Three other phases of upgrades and redevelopment will follow, with the overall project running to £6m.

Carol Gunn, head of transformational projects at HIE, said the £1.8m demonstrated the agency's ambition for John O'Groats.

She said: "Our vision for John O'Groats is to deliver a vibrant social and business community, which has a design to reflect the natural beauty of the location, and which will release economic potential for the whole area.

"People will visit and stay longer to enjoy what Caithness and Sutherland, and indeed the north Highlands, has to offer."