Caithness mill projects are part of ‘emerging corridor’ of attractions
Two large-scale mill renovation projects on the north coast of Caithness are part of an “emerging corridor” of visitor attractions combining tourism with food and drink.
The term was used by Eann Sinclair, Highlands and Islands Enterprise area manager for Caithness and Sutherland, in relation to the ongoing work at historic mill complexes just over 20 miles apart on the A836.
John O’Groats Mill is being brought back into use as a heritage attraction and community venue in a £4.9 million project led by John O’Groats Mill Trust.
At the same time, a new whisky distillery is taking shape within Castletown’s former mill as part of a £5.9 million project led by Dunnet Bay Distillers.
Both projects have secured £250,000 investment from HIE.
Dunnet Bay Distillers was founded in 2013 by Martin and Claire Murray and now produces and sells more than 110,000 bottles of gin, vodka and rum every year.
Mr Sinclair highlighted two other drinks businesses on the same north coast road, part of the North Coast 500 tourist route – 8 Doors Distillery in John O’Groats and North Point Distillery at Forss.
He spoke of “an emerging corridor, particularly in tourism and food and drink”, after a board engagement event hosted by the development agency in Wick.
“We’ve got a relatively small but really proactive group of businesses like Dunnet Bay Distillers, 8 Doors Distillery and North Point Distillery that all think the same way and they all know each other as well,” Mr Sinclair said.
“All of that has taken a long time to come together, but now that they’re all developing their businesses you can see the wider effect.
“We’ve seen it in John O’Groats. Martin will develop Castletown into a destination – he is deliberately using that word.
“That’s the kind of confidence level that people need to have, and it’s local people that need to hear that.”
HIE chairman Alistair Dodds pointed out: “Caithness has got some fantastic buildings. Rather than seeing them derelict and starting to collapse, you can bring these back to life.
“I think it brings confidence to the community but it also brings jobs – and it also gives people things to do, both local and visitors. I think it’s really important that you start to get a bit of a buzz generated across the community.”
Mr Sinclair also highlighted the new developments that have emerged at John O’Groats in the 15 years since the launch of a masterplan to improve the fortunes of the village.
“We spent a bit of time this year publicising the fact that it’s 15 years since we launched that John O’Groats masterplan – and, 15 years later, look at all the businesses that are clustered around Groats,” he said.
“That whole thing around John O’Groats has been confidence. There has been community confidence, which has led to business confidence.”
Speaking last month, Mr Sinclair said: “The transformation of John O’Groats over the past 15 years has been remarkable.
“While the masterplan provided the blueprint, the actual change is down to the hard work and determination of many individuals, businesses and community groups who saw the opportunities and embraced the challenges.”