A Lochaber visitor attraction which caught fire last week will not open until at least the end of August, and the cost of repairs may run into the hundreds of thousands.
More than 200 people escaped the Ice Factor national ice climbing centre in Kinlochleven after the blaze started on Wednesday.
A fire service inspection on Friday concluded that it was accidental and was caused by the failure of an element in the sauna area of the building.
This area was completely destroyed in the subsequent fire that saw more than 80 people safely evacuated and the attendance of fire appliances from Kinlochleven, Fort William and Oban.
While damage assessments are still ongoing, the operator expects that the cost of rectifying the damage caused by the fire will run into tens of thousands and possibly hundreds of thousands of pounds.
The damage means that all 125 climbing routes must be stripped down and replaced.
Despite efforts from staff to try and reopen part of the facility including the national ice climbing centre, extensive smoke damage throughout the building means it won’t open for another month.
July and August are key trading months for the business, which operates inside a 119-year-old building which was formerly a Victorian aluminium smelter.
Jamie Smith, owner and managing director of Ice Factor Kinlochleven, said: “Despite a massive team effort to try and get at least part of Ice Factor operational just days after the fire, it is now clear that extensive smoke damage, including to the ice climbing walls means we must remain closed for at least the next four weeks.
“Until the fire last Wednesday afternoon, Ice Factor was on course for a record year having already welcomed over 162,000 visitors of all ages and ability who come from all over the UK and abroad to experience and enjoy ice climbing, rock climbing and the aerial adventure course.
“I’d like to thank the many people who have offered assistance over the past few days and apologise to our many loyal customers, including members of Scotland’s Mountain Rescue teams who use the facility to train, for the inconvenience this incident has caused. We will now wholly focus on rectifying the damage and ensuring Ice Factor Kinlochleven is once again open for business at the earliest opportunity.”