The location of the proposed viewpoint development - currently a lay-by on the A87 road to Skye - will provide visitors with safe parking and a high level of service, including food, shopping, and toilet facilities.  This will support Highland Council’s aims to improve roadside infrastructure for visitors.

In addition to this planning application, the Black Sheep group has to date invested more than £75 million in the hospitality sector in the Highlands, making it one of the largest investors in the area and employing more than 170 people.

The development of Glengarry Viewpoint will provide visitors with the opportunity not only to safely visit the viewpoint but also to make use of the on-site facilities. An integral element of the proposals is a dedicated space within the proposed visitor centre for local artisans to display and sell their products.

The viewpoint is particularly famous for its views stretching to the farthest reaches of Knoydart on the west coast, with beautiful mountain ranges, and, from this angle, Loch Garry appears to take on the shape of mainland Scotland.

Under the previous ownership, trees have been allowed to grow, completely obscuring views from the iconic viewpoint. These will also be cut as part of the development proposals, giving visitors access to this fabulous vista again.

While not a statutory requirement, the local community will have the opportunity to learn more about the planning application, ask questions and provide feedback at a drop-in event being held on Thursday 4th December between 1pm and 6pm at Glengarry Community Hall.

Concerns have been consistently raised over the years about litter, human faeces and general waste being dumped at the viewpoint, which is frequently used as an open-air toilet. By providing a managed facility including toilets and litter collection, the proposed centre will address this, complementing the scenic setting while supporting local tourism.

Foul drainage from the proposed development buildings will be collected and treated by a bespoke wastewater treatment system, in compliance with the strict Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) regulations that govern such matters.

The development will greatly enhance road safety. During peak season, especially, traffic at the viewpoint can cause significant safety issues. The existing lay-by would be closed and converted to a standard grass verge to ensure that no motorists stop at this location, and they use the proposed designated car park.

The local community will be able to park for free at the Viewpoint, while visitors will pay, with the first 15 minutes free.

The proposed development is predicted to create 30 full-time and 20 part-time locally based jobs.

Furthermore, the applicant, consistent with its well-established hotel and catering businesses in Inverness, Fort William, Invergarry, Loch Lochy and Glen Shiel, is also fully committed to ensuring the use of local supply chains, businesses, firms and services in order to help improve community resilience and increase spending in the local area.

Black Sheep Management Services currently operates a number of hotels in the Highlands - The Whispering Pine Lodge at Spean Bridge, The Cluanie Inn at Glenmoriston and Rokeby Manor at Invergarry. It will also shortly open a new hotel in Inverness, the Ambassador Hotel, and operates two pizzerias – one in Inverness and one in Fort William.

A spokesperson for Black Sheep Management Services said: “The development of Glengarry Viewpoint will deliver meaningful investment in rural infrastructure, with minimal environmental impact and enhance the visitor experience, boosting local spend.

“In addition to delivering a cleaner environment and addressing road safety issues, the development will also deliver local employment opportunities, both directly and via the supply chain. We are also providing local artisans with the opportunity to promote their wares in our visitor centre.

“We very much welcome the opportunity to engage with the local community on this, address their concerns and provide feedback.”