A remote west Highland community has been granted planning permission for an ambitious project to improve its visitor centre and reduce the carbon footprint of the village.
About 15 years ago, an old smiddy at Arisaig in Lochaber was transformed into The Land, Sea and Islands Centre, run by Arisaig Community Trust on behalf of local residents.
The trust now wants to create more room for exhibitions, storage and to sell local goods at the visitor centre.
Its plans include building a circular broch-like structure inside the extension to house a reception desk and toilets, as well as separating the shop and seating area.
Brochs were circular stone strongholds built by the Picts.
Trust treasurer Gordon Stewart explained that they felt creating a round, broch-like structure would be better than “putting up flat walls and blocking-off spaces”.
He said: “The centre is in a wonderful position so we are trying to make the most of it, so people can look out at the views while they are inside looking for information about the area.
“At the moment, we have a viewing room at the seaward end of the building, which looks out over the bay and the moorings and the Rhu peninsula.
“The new extension will be similar, with glazing on that elevation, keeping it light inside the centre.”
Planning permission was granted by Highland Council officers who said the proposal was in line with the development plan for the area.
Consent is subject to conditions including the submission of a parking layout plan and a condition that the work must not obstruct or deter the use of core paths.
The trust, which was finding the building expensive to heat and light, was awarded almost £162,500 from the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund to improve the energy efficiency of the centre and to help villagers reduce their own CO2 emissions.
As well as the extension, the project also includes re-insulating the existing building and draught-proofing the windows.
The trust has appointed two people to work on reducing the carbon footprint of the village.