Cabot Highland plans to incorporate redundant farm buildings into golf course development at Castle Stuart
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The development of a second world-class golf course near Inverness could include refurbished farm outbuildings and a new purpose-built administrative hub.
Canadian-owned Cabot Highland bought Castle Stuart Golf Links – which have hosted four Scottish Opens since opening 14 years ago – in June 2022.
The luxury resort group is currently developing a second 18-hole course at the site. Designed by world renowned golf course architect, Tom Doak, it is expected to be ready for preview play in late 2024.
It has now lodged an application with Highland Council to repair and repurpose two agricultural buildings at nearby Scottack Farm which until recently have been in active use.
They would be used to store equipment including tractors and mowers associated with the management of the two golf courses.
It also proposes demolishing an existing building to the west of the main building and redeveloping the site to provide a new business hub incorporating facilities for maintenance and administration staff.
A supporting statement submitted with the application says: "The opportunity to now incorporate the Scottack Farm outbuildings as part of the wider development, not only makes use of existing buildings but will also provide a hub from which the overall management of the course and golf facility will be managed."
The new timber-clad building would be 1.75 storeys high and accommodate staff welfare facilities on the ground floor and offices on the upper level.
It would enable all staff associated with the operation and management of the golf development to be located in one purpose-built facility.
"It has been designed to reflect the status of Cabot Highland as a world-class golf resort and serves to provide excellent staff facilities which are currently lacking within the existing golf complex and the existing clubhouse," it states.
It adds that the expansion of the golf facility by Cabot Highland has created a demand for new and improved staff facilities and the proposal will meet that demand.
It is proposed access will be via a new junction formed with the B9039 to the south of the site.
