The overall purpose of the new facility is to create a focal point for Caithness that can deliver cultural, community and economic benefits, by means of a strong partnership.

The main heritage and environment objectives of the new centre are:

• To inform residents and visitors about the area’s heritage and its historic and natural environment, promoting understanding, appreciation and enjoyment.
• To restore to public view the key features of a historic building and to ensure its sustainable use for the long term.
• To provide a modern and integrated setting for artefacts and displays which illustrate aspects of the area’s heritage and relate it to life today.
• To explain, through the history and environment of the area, the meaning and importance of sustainable development.

The main tourism and economic objectives of the new centre are:

• To provide high quality information and guidance on the natural, cultural and industrial heritage of Caithness and the North Highlands.
• To encourage visitors to explore Caithness and the North Highlands, to visit its sites and attractions and to spend longer in the area.
• To contribute to a regeneration of tourism in the area and thus to the strengthening of the local and regional economy.

The main community objectives of the new centre are:

• To maintain a compatible range of community uses of the building, through the provision of improved facilities.
• To provide for the partners in Caithness Horizons an appropriate venue for consulting and sharing information with the local community on issues of public interest.
• To bring together in an accessible location a range of services for visitors and local people.