Plans to transform a decades old Highland gift shop into a luxury chocolatier and cafe have been unveiled.
Cocoa Mountain owners Paul Maden and James Findlay, who started up their business in Durness nearly 11 years ago, hope to expand into the Dornoch premises in early June.
The distinctive building in the town’s Castle Street has been run by Audrey Thomson for 30 years, but she will now be retiring.
Mr Maden and Mr Findlay, who have previously appeared on television show Dragons’ Den, were approached by Mrs Thomson about a potential move in November last year.
The couple have been seeking to expand for years due to high demand through online sales, but were unable to finalise leases at other locations in the Highlands.
Mr Maden said they would hope to employ between four and eight new staff in their first season in Dornoch and that the existing business would continue in Durness.
He added: “We would love to be open for the early part of June. It’s a lovely building but has not been changed much for 30 years. There is a good bit of work to be done. We want this to be a really special place as well, and it’s a big step for us to do this and a challenge.
“Dornoch is the perfect place for us and we are looking forward to it.”
Mr Maden added that he and his partner hope to sign the lease within the next two weeks.
Mr Maden said the plan with the new building is to have a large chocolate counter showcasing all of their stock, as well as a lounge area and a cafe.
As well as truffles and bars, the company’s hot chocolate has fans said to include former England cricketer Ian Botham, former Rangers’ boss Ally McCoist and actress Juliet Stevenson.
Cocoa Mountain use milk from Highland cows in its exotic chocolates, some of which are allegedly ‘natural aphrodisiacs’.
The business is also known for its ethical sourcing of quality cocoa in South America.
Prince Charles once asked the chocolatiers to blend his Barrogill whisky into a truffle, but they turned him down because they did not want to use preservatives.
Dornoch Area Community Council chairwoman Yvonne Ross said: “It’s another good business for the town – and it’s a popular business. Everyone in Dornoch is delighted that we are still attracting these new businesses. The town is certainly developing and I think having these specialist shops here will attract more visitors to the town.”
Cocoa Mountain’s planning application was validated by Highland Council’s planning department on March 29.
