Adobe StockDevelopers behind a visitor centre project at an iconic beauty spot in the Highlands have responded to a barrage of complaints about the proposal.
The Black Sheep hotels group wants to build a facility overlooking Loch Garry.
About 120 people attended a public meeting about the project, concerned about road safety and potential impact on an existing community centre.
The company has promised 50 new jobs and a road safety improvements as part of the development.
Thousands of people are drawn to the Glen Garry viewpoint each year to see what many consider a natural wonder – the shape of Loch Garry appearing to match the outline of a map of Scotland.
Residents visited an exhibition this week, hosted by the hotel group at Invergarry village hall, to learn more. Opinion was divided.
STV NewsThere were fears that a rival venue could ultimately threaten to put the existing community hall, cafe and heritage centre – which is run by volunteers – out of business.
Others were in favour of building a new centre at the viewpoint, west of the village, praising its “sympathetic design”.
Planning consultant Alan Farningham, speaking for the hotels group, said it would improve road safety.
“It will take traffic off the road, stopping people from randomly parking on the verges and take them into a proper carpark,” he said.
“If you look at the information that’s been submitted as part of the application in terms of landscaping impact, you will see that the impacts will be absolutely minimal both within the local environment and also the wider surrounding countryside.”
Mr Farningham pledged that if there were evidence that the existing community cafe was losing trade to the new facility it would step in to ensure it “survived and thrived”.
Its planning application has been submitted to Highland Council.
A consultation period has been extended until December 15.
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