National tourism agency VisitScotland’s Highlands-based offices in Strathpeffer and Inverness will relocate to Cowan House, in the Inverness Retail and Business Park, at the end of August this year.

 In a move that will help to fulfill the Scottish Government’s desire to share costs and services, a total of 66 VisitScotland staff will co-locate with Highlands and Islands Enterprise staff, sharing facilities including canteen, cleaning services and reception area.

Scott Armstrong, regional director for VisitScotland Highlands, said: “Both the Strathpeffer and Thistle House offices will be co-locating with HIE in Cowan House, in a move which will reduce costs for both organisations and ultimately enable VisitScotland to focus more on our core activities which include marketing, quality assurance and tourist information provision.

“It will also provide an excellent opportunity to increase joint working and ultimately benefit tourism businesses in the area – and by creating even better relations and closer working, we will strive towards realising our industry growth ambition.”

HIE chief executive Sandy Cumming said: “HIE is continuing to pursue close working relationships along with co-location and shared services where possible with public sector organisations. VisitScotland’s move is one of a number of co-locations following the Enterprise Networks Review, aiming to improve the quality and range of services provided across the Highlands and Islands.”