New holiday cabins at Kirkhill will be aimed at 'slow tourism' market, says planning application to Highland Council
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A SMALL "ecologically-sound retreat" aimed at the so-called slow tourism market could be opened in Kirkhill after plans for six holiday cabins were lodged with Highland Council.
Michael and Alexandra Gladwin are hoping to erect the cabins and a service building on land 90 metres north-west of Braeside Cottage. The land is currently used for agricultural grazing.
In their application they state their hope that the cabins, each of which will house a double-bedroom, will cater to "environmentally and socially-responsible couples wishing to make a brief stopover as part of a longer itinerary to travel around the Highlands, and for those wishing to take their time to explore the natural, cultural and historical attractions of the local area whilst using the cabin as their base".
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In keeping with their stated hope to create an "ecologically‐sound" retreat, they also plan to instal seven electric vehicle charging points, erect solar panels on each cabin and plant up to one acre of "mixed native trees" on the site in a bid to offset the business' carbon footprint.
They add that they will also plant 1.6 acres of trees in a neighbouring field to the north of the site to "enhance" an existing birch woodland and boost local wildlife and biodiversity.
In their design statement, the pair say the single-storey timber-framed cabins "will be built in vernacular style by local joiners and are designed to resemble renovated bothies, in proportion and materials, clad in corrugated metal sheets and timber".
A new access from the public road would also be created to connect the site to the road network.
The site's service building would house an office and reception, laundry room and maintenance store.
The application will be decided by Highland Council at a future date.
