Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has awarded funding of almost £800,000 towards a £4 million project to transform one of Lochaber's main tourist attractions has secured up to £800,000 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

Work will begin this month (October) at Nevis Range on a 22-bedroom hotel, 24-berth Bunkhouse, bar and restaurant, bike shop, children's activity centre, childcare facilities, as well as a covered courtyard with event space. These developments will be built in as low carbon a way as possible with a high degree of insulation, low energy lighting, solar panel for power etc.

The new facilities are expected to create up to 50 additional full and part-time jobs.

The creation of a hotel and bunkhouse is in direct response to customer surveys carried out by Nevis Range where demand for accommodation facilities was clear. The new accommodation building and courtyard will connect with the existing base station facilities.

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Of HIE's investment, £500,000 will be used to help towards Nevis Range's continuing journey to net zero. The net zero tourism investment is part of a £3.95m pledge to Scottish tourism in March 2021 and is one of 10 areas of priority within the Scottish Government's £25m commitment to deliver the Tourism Taskforce recommendations and national programme for tourism recovery.

This project is the latest in a series of development projects put in place by Nevis Range over the last few years which includes snow-making equipment, camper van facilities and the Blue Doon bike track.

Alastair Nicolson, Lochaber, Skye and Wester Ross area manager for HIE, said: "This is an incredibly exciting project for the area with dozens of new jobs set to be created and the new facilities able to accommodate visitors wishing to extend their stay.

"We have worked closely with Nevis Range for a number of years now and initiatives like this are incredibly important in the transition to a net zero economy.

"The value of tourism to the Lochaber area cannot be overstated and we are delighted to support this latest project which will serve to enhance the area's appeal as one of the UK's top adventure tourism destinations."

Chris O'Brien, managing director of Nevis Range, said: "Net zero and climate change are at the top of our agenda as we continue to develop. EV charge points, Hydro power and a locally sourced produce strategy are just the beginning for us. We are currently engaged in a carbon footprint analysis study that will help us roadmap the best way for us to achieve net zero status.

"This project is possible due to the support of HIE. I'm delighted that both parties share a vision for the creation of quality, sustainable adventure tourism experiences right here in the outdoor capital of the UK."