A tourist information centre near the Kessock Bridge could soon be taken over by new tenants and transformed into a new venture.
The building at North Kessock, just off the northbound A9 Inverness to Scrabster road, was put on the market to let in May.
The area is popular with dolphin spotters, and thousands of cars pass the centre each day on the busy dual carriageway.
But tourism agency VisitScotland revealed last night that it had decided to not to renew its lease after visitor numbers plummeted by almost half in the last decade.
It added, however, that there had already been “considerable interest” expressed by potential bidders looking to take over the site.
VisitScotland now hopes to work with the new tenant to find a way to continue providing tourist information at the facility.
A spokeswoman said: “The ways in which people access information on where to stay and what to do and see in an area has changed significantly over the past few years.
“VisitScotland is constantly reviewing how we provide information to make sure that it best meets visitors’ needs.
“Visitors increasingly use online resources, leading to less demand for face-to-face information provision in some locations.
“In line with this trend, North Kessock iCentre has experienced a 46% decline in visitor footfall over the last 10 years to just over 14,000.
“VisitScotland’s current lease is coming to an end and we have been working with our partners, including the Highland Council, to ensure that we continue to provide the most efficient and effective visitor information in the area by diversifying and reacting to consumer demands.”
She added: “We understand there is considerable interest in the North Kessock site and VisitScotland hopes to work with the new tenant to look at options for information provision.”
The let is being managed by Shepherd Commercial, who declined to comment yesterday.
The property is next to the North Kessock Dolphin and Seal Centre, and there is car parking, as well as a picnic site with tables.
It is a detached single-storey building under a hipped slated roof, incorporating a central glazed dome skylight.
There is 1,186ft of floor space and consent exists to serve food and drink.
