THE Scottish National Investment Bank is providing £4.45 million of funding to Highland Coast Hotels, declaring this “will help to support more sustainable and community-led hospitality around the North Coast 500 tourist route”.

It highlighted potential for the loan funding to create dozens of jobs, and support the creation of apprenticeships, as well as improving the availability of accommodation for tourists on the route.

The funding will support the upgrade of the Royal Golf Hotel in Dornoch, the Royal Marine Hotel in Brora, the Newton Lodge in Unapool and the Kylesku Hotel, all situated along the North Coast 500, SNIB noted. It added that the loan would be repaid from income generated by the hotels.

The taxpayer-funded SNIB declared the investment would “support tourism and employment opportunities in a remote area of north Scotland, where tourism is crucial for the local economy and is vital to sustain communities and businesses”

Noting the loan would support the investment in the four hotels, SNIB said the funding would create full-time jobs within Highland Coast Hotels and up to 40 full-time equivalent jobs "within the local area through supply-chain investment".

SNIB said: “The investment aligns with the Bank’s mission to invest in places and regeneration to reduce inequalities and improve opportunities and outcomes for people and communities."

SNIB chief executive Eilidh Mactaggart said: “Our investment will support a vital industry for the Highlands whilst securing quality employment, educational and training opportunities in rural communities.

READ MORE: Ian McConnell: Household energy bills forecast to surge by more than £1,000. Will Johnson act?

“The investment will also benefit local businesses through Highland Coast Hotels’ commitment to sourcing food, beverages and other supplies locally, and partnering with other local businesses who can offer activities and visitor experiences to its guests.”

She added: "As well as direct and indirect employment creation, the investment will also ensure that Highland Coast Hotels can continue to provide education and training opportunities for the hospitality sector through the University of [the] Highlands & Islands and springboard collaborations, and a minimum of 10 apprenticeships over the next three years."

READ MORE: Chef creates hundreds of jobs in pandemic

David Whiteford, chairman of Highland Coast Hotels, said: “This investment from the Scottish National Investment Bank is not only significant for our highly talented teams within Highland Coast Hotels, but also the much-valued communities in which we operate. We will continue to develop hotels that communities can frequent and be proud of, whilst our aim is to source all produce from as close by as we possibly can, bringing significant benefits to local supply chain.

“We are already engaging with a number of local artists, artisans, visitor experience providers and food producers to build the authenticity of guest experiences, grow local businesses and stimulate the creation of start-ups."

He noted the company had "already established community liaison committees for each hotel which will ensure local people and businesses are involved in key decisions that affect their way of life on the North Coast 500".

Mr Whiteford meanwhile highlighted employment challenges in the area, and his hopes that the funding would help tackle these.

He said: “One of the biggest challenges that remote areas like this face is a lack of : employment opportunities, particularly for young people. That’s why we are especially excited that the investment will lead to the development of a new Hospitality Foundation Course at the University of [the] Highlands & Islands and the establishment of a modern apprenticeship scheme.We are also hoping to be awarded further valued funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise to help the development plans. This investment undoubtedly helps put the North Coast 500 community firmly on the road to a more sustainable future.”