Firms pledge free advice for Doonies group

A campaign group established to save an under-threat council rare breed farm near Aberdeen from closure has secured free support from two leading professional advisers.

The Friends of Doonies campaign group announced last night that law firm Maclay Murray and Spens and chartered accountants Meston Reid have pledged to provide legal and financial advice and support to the group.

Friends of Doonies are volunteers who are battling to save Doonies Farm at Cove after the facility was earmarked for closure following controversial £27million budget cuts by Aberdeen City Council.

The group is now preparing a business plan to take over the running of the farm after they were last month granted a 60-day reprieve to turn the stricken attraction into a cultural tourist attraction.

Group chairman John Sleigh said: “To secure the long-term future of the facility, we need to ensure we have a viable business proposition.

“We are also looking for individuals and businesses to come forward with some initial sponsorship funding which will allow us to continue to operate for the next six months.”

Mark Brown, of Meston Reid, said the company is “delighted” to support the farm.

John Findlay, of Maclay Murray and Spens, added: “Doonies Farm is a well known and popular attraction in the north-east. We are delighted to assist in the campaign to save it and to give our services to Friends of Doonies on a pro bono basis.”

Mr Sleigh added that the farm remains open to the public meantime.