A VISITOR centre in the Highlands is closed “until further notice” due to a fire as the manager thanked the “brave” emergency services for their quick response.
The Falls of Shin Visitor Centre, near Lairg, has been closed due to a fire that broke out midday, on Monday.
The visitor hub, which is run by Tom Bannerman and his partner Annie Rose Munro, will not be “open for a while” due to the building needing to be assessed for damage.
Bannerman said the fire is a “real shame” as the pair had planned on keeping the center open during the winter months despite it being the tourist off-season in order to give locals somewhere to go for some coffee and cake.
“The plan was to be open in January and to take a week off in February if things slowed down,” Bannerman said.
“We wanted to give local people who have supported us a place to go for coffee and cake, and dinner in the winter. “It is a real shame that this has happened.”
The centre hosts a cafe, gift shop and outdoor play area which is popular with visitors to the Highlands.
The fire is believed to have been caused by electricals and started when no one was in the building at around 12.35pm.
“We got an alert from our security system and called the fire brigade,” Bannerman said.
“They were there in time and were able to put out the fire.”
Bannerman confirmed there was smoke damage to the building and has thanked the emergency services for their quick response.
“We will not be open for a while,” he said. “We have to go in next week and assess the damage and then get everything cleaned up and ready to go again.”
He added: “We would like to thank the amazing fire brigade for getting to us as quickly as they did and for carrying out their brave duties.
“We are sorry if you had plans to visit us over the next month and look forward to seeing you when we reopen.”
A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said a call was received at 12.35pm regarding a “small fire” at the Falls of Shin Visitor Centre.
