It is thought the agency, SJ Travel Centre, located on Fairways Retail Park in the Scottish city, was not the target of the attack early on Sunday morning, when a car reversed into a nearby shop and was set alight.
Owner Julia MacLeay said the incident had alarmed staff and customers: “This is Inverness, not London or New York, that’s what’s more shocking,” she said, adding the car used had a boot “full of petrol” that was deliberately ignited.
The agency has been given a temporary office for it and sister tour operator brand Spirit Journeys Worldwide.
“It’s not ideal, but it’s somewhere we can set up and meet customers and take calls,” MacLeay said.
“We’ve been donated some desks and chairs, but I’m waiting to hear about another premises in the same vicinity. If it comes off it will be just around the corner in temporary portacabins, but somebody else has offered me something on an industrial estate.”
As well as the agency premises, MacLeay had been due to open a gift shop in an adjacent unit. That was also destroyed in the blaze, which took six fire engines to bring under control.
MacLeay said customers had been “deeply shocked but extremely supportive”. “It’s a community business, people came here, went to the fish shop and the hairdressers and often booked holidays,” she said.
She added it was fortunate the attack had happened on a night when windspeed was low, which meant an adjacent bowling alley and go-kart track were spared.
Police Scotland told TTG enquiries were “ongoing”. In a statement, the police said: “Around 12.05am on Sunday, 9 March 2025, a Skoda Octavia car was deliberately driven into the premises at Fairways Business Park. The premises and car were then set alight which caused significant damage.
“There were no reports of any injuries. A man wearing dark clothing and a balaclava was seen running away.
“Officers are looking to speak to anyone with any information and are particularly keen to trace the occupants of a white pick-up truck, which was seen in the area around the time of the incident.”
