A DECISION on the future of Caithness Horizons museum and gallery in Thurso will be made by Highland Council today. The facility closed in February this year after encountering financial problems but since then discussions have been taking place to try and find a way of getting it reopened in time for the summer season. At a meeting in Inverness today, councillors will be urged to back a phased funding package of over £200,000 to carry out vital works which would allow Horizons to open its doors to the public again after months of uncertainty. The day-to-day running of the building would be taken over by High Life Highland. Councillor Struan Mackie, Thurso and Northwest Caithness, backs the plan and is urging his colleagues to do the same. Under the proposal, £77,000 would be spent on the building this year with a further £127,000 in 2020. The work – mostly health and safety related –is required by the board of High Life Highland. Councillor Mackie said: “Caithness Horizons is a vital part of our tourism offering, not just in west Caithness but across the far north. “The tourist season is ramping up with more and more people travelling to the county. The street signs are still up, many internet sites still point visitors towards the museum, and too many visitors have already left the town disappointed. We have to act.” He points out that one of the key funders, Dounreay Site Restoration Limited, has “gone above and beyond the call of duty” in providing revenue support of £75,000 for the next three years but on condition the council matches such funding.
John O Groat Journal 29th May 2019 read more »
