The Tomatin Trading Company is pressing ahead to deliver its £12 million retail & leisure development at the Tomatin junction on the A9 following a legal victory over Tomatin Distillery, which had objected to the use of the name Tomatin.
The development consists of a 99 bedroom hotel, a 200 seater restaurant, four retail units, a fuel filling station, and a farm shop, the development will showcase a range of local Highland food and drink suppliers.
Entrepreneur William Frame, the businessman behind the development, said: “We are delighted with the court’s verdict, and can finally, after a two-year delay, look forward to kicking off this important development,” he said.
“Our focus now shifts to announcing our build team, together with finalising our financial team. We are keen to get started as soon as we can, and feel that we have assembled a unique and proactive team which will work collaboratively together.”
“Never have the new opportunities, jobs, and investment in this area been more needed as the economy looks to recover from the ravages of the Covid19 pandemic,” said Mr Frame.
“Our development is an opportunity to create what’s known as a DIOR, a Destination In its Own Right, a high quality “stop off” of choice for both tourists and locals from all over the Spey Valley, Inverness, and the surrounding area.”
Simon Bath, formerly of the Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle, is to be General Manager of The Tomatin Trading Company. He said the business would look to work in partnership with, local suppliers, artisan producers and, visitor attractions in the area, “Even before Covid19, the industry was seeing a customer with a far more discerning taste, looking for a destination which gives a food and drink offering second to none.
“Furthermore, this customer wanted the highest quality retail experience, drawing on both local and national brands, coupled with the finest service a hotel can offer. We want to give them the very best of the region here at The Tomatin Trading Company, with our hotel offering true Highland hospitality, together with the most outstanding breakfast!”