A planning application has been submitted to the Highland Council for the development of tourist accommodation at Artafallie, North Kessock.
The proposal, lodged on behalf of David Bisset, includes five timber-built pods, a workshop with an attached office, and the installation of a sewage treatment plant. The site is located north of a property known as Birchwood, within a cluster of buildings to the north of the A9.
The proposed pods would each measure approximately 9 metres by 5 metres. The workshop building would have dimensions of around 15 metres by 12 metres, with a maximum ridge height of 5.5 metres.
It would be clad in profile metal sheeting, and a lean-to office structure finished with timber cladding under a metal sheet roof would be attached. The plan includes provision for 12 parking spaces, according to Ross-shire Journal.
A supporting statement submitted to the council by agent Michael Hyde references several local policies aimed at encouraging tourism and the development of visitor accommodation.
The statement highlights that the Local Development Plan supports proposals for new or extended tourist facilities, including caravan and camping sites, in suitable locations. It also notes that the Highland Council recognizes the economic contribution of tourism and is supportive of projects that increase visitor length of stay and spread tourism benefits across the area.
The statement also refers to National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), which aims to encourage sustainable tourism development that benefits local communities and attracts visitors to Scotland.
The application is currently under consideration by the Highland Council. Full details, including supporting documents and site plans, are available on the local authority’s ePlanning portal.
For outdoor hospitality operators, this development may signal continued interest in small-scale, flexible accommodation projects in the Highlands, reflecting both policy support and potential demand for tourism infrastructure outside major urban centers.
Understanding local planning policies and NPF4 objectives could help businesses identify similar opportunities for expansion or diversification.