VIDEO: The long wait is over to demolish Carrbridge eyesore
Work started earlier today – ironically slightly ahead of scheduled after many years of wrangle – to knock down the Struan Hotel on Carrbridge's main street.
It was both a happy day and a sad day – for older residents in particular - as the bulldozers started ripping down the walls of what was Scotland's first ski hotel.
The Struan House Hotel was originally opened by Karl Fuchs, a member of the 1948 Austrian Olympic team, and his wife, Eileen, in the mid 1950s.
It was a vibrant venue in the village for very many years and instrumental in helping to put the Cairngorms on the map as a ski destination in the early days of the sport in Scotland.
Levelling the hotel comes after more than 16 years of deadlock during which the derelict building has become an eyesore opposite the popular Landmark Forest Adventure Park.
The old hotel was also a danger in the community, with youngsters using it as a play den.
Ten affordable flats are to be built on the site by Highland Council who eventually completed a compulsory purchase order to acquired the hotel from the previous owners.
Helen Cameron, the council's housing development officer, had advised recently: "I am pleased to advise that we have finally let the contract to have the former hotel demolished.
"The site will be prepared by the contractor next week (October 3) and demolition works will commence the following week initially with the asbestos removal.
"The works are due to be complete by November 25. In the background we are finalising our building warrant for the flats with a view to tendering the works November or December.
"The neighbours are being advised in advance of works starting and the Contractor (Munros Construction) will liaise with them once they are on site to ensure that any disruption – particularly the access to the properties at the rear – is kept to a minimum.
Cairngorms National Park Authority’s (CNPA) planning committee members unanimously approved the demolition of the Struan House Hotel and
new homes in April, earlier this year.
There have been calls for the site’s importance to the development of skiing in the Cairngorms to be recognised with a plaque and through the street name.
