The company is planning to build a 97-bedroom hotel and a 200-seat restaurant, along with food and drink and retail outlets at a derelict site at the Tomatin junction, beside the A9 main road, around 14 miles south-east of Inverness.

Architects NORR had been appointed to work on the project, along with engineering firm Blyth & Blyth, and Edinburgh-based quantity surveyors and project managers Thomson Bethune.

It is hoped that work on the development will start later this year.

But managing director William Frame told the Press & Journal that it was still facing a court case over an objection by the owners of Tomatin Distillery to its use of the name of the village in its branding.

He said: “We are delighted to be at the stage of appointing key suppliers and contractors for our exciting new development here in the Highlands.

“Never have the new opportunities, jobs and investment in this area been more needed as the economy looks to recover from the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We have an opportunity to create what’s known as a DIOR, a Destination in its Own Right, a high quality ‘stop-off ’ of choice for both tourists and locals from all over the Spey Valley, Inverness and the surrounding area.”

A hearing at the Court of Session on the dispute between the developer and Tomatin Distillery is expected in April. The whisky-maker has previously said it “wholeheartedly” supports the project, but believes it has to protect its brand.