Highland Coast Hotels’ Royal Marine Hotel in Brora, on the North Coast 500 route, has joined forces with Tain-based Silverback Gym to open the third venue in the fitness group’s growing portfolio.

The new gym in the Royal Marine Hotel, which is open 24 hours a day, is Silverback’s most northerly gym. Silverback, founded by Jim and Ruth Gagan in 2016, also has gyms in Dornoch and at its Tain base.

Commenting on the launch of the “new state-of-the-art wellness facility for guests and the local community” at the Royal Marine Hotel, Highland Coast Hotels said: “Silverback Gym was founded by Jim and Ruth Gagan in 2016 after years of dreaming about a better local fitness facility.

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“Inspired by their love for working out and a desire to create a welcoming, community-driven space, they transformed a joiner's workshop in Tain into the Silverback Gym. Today, they continue to operate the family-run gym with a focus on fitness, inclusivity, and the spirit of togetherness.”

It added: “As part of the new partnership, Royal Marine Hotel in Brora is now able to offer complimentary access to the gym for its resident guests during their stay at the hotel, including a range of weight-training equipment, as well as cardiovascular machines.”

Highland Coast Hotels noted Silverback Gym is also offering weekly, monthly and drop-in memberships for people in the local community, as well as drop-in day passes for visitors touring the North Coast 500, which can be purchased on the day.

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Noting the 24-hour access to the gym, the hotels group said this allowed “inclusivity and flexibility for people working on different schedules”.

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Billy McKechnie, general manager of the Royal Marine Hotel, said: “Our partnership with Silverback Gym offers a new state-of-the-art wellness facility to [the] Royal Marine Hotel here in Brora. This collaboration allows us to offer our guests a unique experience in the Highlands that blends relaxation and fitness during their stay.

“Whether visiting in the winter or throughout the year, our guests will enjoy complimentary access to the gym, 24 hours a day, making it easy to stay active and refreshed. We’re excited to enhance our guests’ overall wellbeing with this fantastic new facility.”

Ruth Gagan said: “We’re excited to launch our third Silverback Gym venue at the Royal Marine Hotel here in Brora, driven by the strong demand from the local community.

“It was important for us to partner with a business that shares our values of community and wellness, and the Royal Marine Hotel offers the perfect space with a welcoming atmosphere.”

She added: “Together, we’re able to provide a facility that not only supports fitness but also enhances the overall guest experience year-round, as well as providing a well-needed facility in the Brora community.”

Highland Coast Hotels was created in 2021. Since then, it has acquired what it describes as “seven of the region’s leading hotels” - the Royal Marine Hotel in Brora, Plockton Inn, Kylesku Hotel, Newton Lodge, Tongue Hotel, Royal Golf Hotel in Dornoch, and Lochardil House in Inverness.