Revitalising waters - which once attracted Victorian visitors in their thousands to Strathpeffer are set to flow again in a £180,000 (pounds) restoration project.

The restoration of the Upper Pump Room in Strathpeffer will create the period setting for a modern, interactive visitor centre that focuses on the history of the Strathpeffer Spa - a fashionable Highland holiday destination in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The pump room, formerly a medical and curative centre, is located within the Spa Gardens which are also presently being restored to their former glory.

The site is also home to the Spa Pavilion - a popular dance venue in the 60's and 70's. This is the subject of a major Heritage Lottery bid that would see it completely renovated and brought back into community use.

The physical restoration of the Upper Pump Room and its adaptation to a visitor centre is being managed by Highland Buildings Preservation Trust (HBPT). However, the whole site will eventually be managed by the Spa Company Ltd - a charitable organisation established by local volunteers.

Mia Scott of HBPT said: "The Upper Pump Room is one of the last surviving remnants of the Strathpeffer Spa. Through careful research, and using the services of a local dowser, we have been able to establish the location of the wells that once supplied the Upper Pump Room, several of which had been buried as a result of road re-alignments and building work.

"The restoration of the Upper Pump Room and the re-connection of the wells will enable visitors to sample again the different mineral waters of Strathpeffer."

Ross and Cromarty Enterprise (RACE) has approved a £57,000 (pounds) assistance package towards the costs of developing the Upper Pump Room as a visitor attraction. This levered in £50,000 (pounds) from HIE Attractions - a European funded programme aimed at improving the quality of visitor attractions, and £58,000 (pounds) from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The Highland Council is also providing £11,000 (pounds) towards the project.

Head of community development at RACE Jackie McGuinnity said: "Strathpeffer is an important tourist destination catering for thousands of visitors each year. High quality tourist attractions like the Upper Pump Room, which are firmly rooted in unique local history, are of great interest to visitors and locals alike.

"The Upper Pump Room will play a central role in encouraging visitors to spend more time in the village and in directing them to try out other local attractions."

The attraction will feature a restored water sampling facility, an audio-visual programme, authentic 'period' reconstruction's, interpretive displays and a small retail outlet.

The facility is set to open to the public in the Spring of 2001.