Loch Ness Hub case study | VisitScotland.org

About the organisation

Loch Ness Hub & Travel, established in 2020 in Drumnadrochit, is a community benefit company dedicated to enhancing tourism services while reinvesting profits into the local community.

We offer a wide range of services for our customers.

This includes:

baggage and shuttle transfers for long-distance trails like the Great Glen Way
e-bike hire
heritage trail and craft trail maps
tours for fishing and spotting Highland Cows
and boat trips on Loch Ness.

We also operate a motorhome service point, public toilets and provides tickets for local attractions such as Urquhart Castle.

The Loch Ness Hub & travel team outside their centre. Credit: Loch Ness Hub & Travel

Who else do you work with?

Beyond tourism, we collaborate with various sectors and suppliers to bolster the local economy. This includes local crafts and souvenirs, supporting regional artisans and producers. By purchasing items from local artists, visitors contribute directly to sustaining community craftsmanship.

We're at the forefront of community led initiatives and are consulted by communities from both home and abroad, through their role as part of The Scottish Community Tourism Network.

How do you give back to the community?

We're deeply rooted and committed to the local community. Profits from our operations are reinvested via the Glen Urquhart Rural Community Association (GURCA – anchor shareholder) to support local businesses, groups, and amenities.

In December 2023, we made our first surplus profit payment of £5,000 to GURCA, marking a significant milestone in its mission to benefit the community and went on to double that payment in 2024.

We also promote sustainable tourism by offering e-bike hire and have achieved Gold Green Tourism Award status, as well as receiving The Highland Hero award for Green Tourism reflecting our dedication to environmental stewardship.

Over and above our tourism services, we provide out of school club transport and deliver school meals. None of the above is possible without a sustainable model.

Presenting the cheque for £5,000 to Glen Urquhart Rural Community Association. Credit: Loch Ness Hub & Travel

Why is the visitor economy important to Scotland?

The visitor economy is vital, not only to Scotland as a whole, but the entire rural network across the Highlands and Islands. It provides stimulus to related industries and local supply chains, including food and drink, arts and culture, retail, construction and transport.

Communities are having to continually carry the heavy load in terms of delivering public services, e.g. public toilets and tourism is a vital conduit to delivering these essential services. By empowering communities across Scotland, tourism can genuinely be delivered as a force for good.

We're seen by industry as an exemplar of how tourism can positively impact a community by fostering economic growth, supporting local artisans, promoting sustainability, and enhancing the overall visitor experience. We've won three Highlands and Islands Thistle awards and two National Scottish Thistle awards, which is testament to our work.