The owners of an Aberdeenshire inn have boarded up the historic premises, just days before councillors decide its fate.
Local residents launched a protest campaign when the Midmar Inn was shut down last September after more than a century as a roadside hostelry.
Owners David Cooper and partner Debi Begg said the business was no longer viable, and they intended refurbishing and extending the property as a home.
The couple are now seeking the go-ahead for plans to convert the scenic premises from a public house into a private house.
Councillors will be told they wish to continue living at Midmar, and do not want to sell the landmark building as an inn.
In a report to councillors meeting at Inverurie on Tuesday planners will recommend the residential change of use application be turned down, and that the former drover’s inn remains as licensed premises or for alternative employment use in the rural area.
Residents have formed their own company, and earlier this year won the right to buy the closed country pub under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003.
Yesterday Ms Begg said she and her partner would be putting their case to the Garioch area committee meeting in Inverurie. She added: “We will be addressing the committee and I do not want to comment fully before the meeting.”
She confirmed the inn had been boarded up, and said: “It is our property and we have a right to do what we wish with it. There is no heating in three-quarters of the building. We are living like squatters. We are speaking about our lives and our future.
“We are staying on, for the moment anyway. We will see what happens on Tuesday.”
The Friends of Midmar Inn Community Company has been granted first option on the inn should it come on the market.
Yesterday spokeswoman Margot Kennedy said the group would also put its points to next week’s meeting and pledged the community effort to reopen the ancient inn will continue. She said: “It is awful to see the lovely old inn with its doors and windows all boarded up.”