A historic Moray estate is to become the base for a world-class arts campus which could deliver a major boost to the region’s economy.
A £2.5million refurbishment of a once-dilapidated steading has paved the way for the ambitious project at Altyre near Forres.
The Glasgow School of Art will breathe new life into the ancient building and turn it into a “Mecca” for learning.
The steading revamp was backed to the tune of £750,000 by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Historic Scotland pledged a further £500,000 and the remainder of the bill was met by the 1,000-year-old Altyre Estate.
Work on bringing the buildings up to standard is scheduled to finish next month, with an initial intake of students expected to arrive in September.
The site will be renamed The Creative Campus, Highlands and Islands.
Last night, estate owner Sir Alastair Gordon Cumming said a huge effort had gone into refurbishing the crumbling steading.
The 62-year-old said: “I’ve been absolutely wowed by the scale of the work carried out.
“The last year of my life has been spent at the coalface getting this arranged, and I can’t wait to move on with this project soon.
“The steading was on the at-risk properties register, and improving it was something I felt I had to do.
“I began negotiating with the Glasgow School of Art about this two years ago, the project is just great for the estate and they will be very welcome tenants.”
The vast steading lay dormant for decades and fell into disrepair.
It has been converted into a campus space with an art studio and exhibition rooms, lecture halls and a laboratory.
The Glasgow School of Art said the scheme would help Moray and the Highlands and islands develop an “international reputation for creativity”.
The school’s director, Tom Inns, said: “This is a vital part of our national and international presence, complementing our main campus at Garnethill in Glasgow.
“The development of our presence in Forres, and more broadly in the Highlands and islands, is integral to helping us achieve our aspiration to be a global leader in studio-based learning and research.”
Local education leaders have hailed the economic benefits the move will bring to Moray and the wider north.
HIE area manager in Moray, David Oxley, added: “The Blairs Steadings development is bringing previously disused buildings back into productive use as a world-class university research and teaching facility.
“It is ideal as a permanent location for the Glasgow School of Art’s growing presence in the region, and I am delighted this has been confirmed.
“The move forms part of a much larger initiative that will bring social and economic benefits, not just in Moray but across the Highlands and islands.”
Moray Council convener Allan Wright also welcomed the project.
He said: “This is an exciting development, and I applaud the co-operation that has gone into establishing a Glasgow School of Art campus here in Moray.”
HIE and the Glasgow School of Art have worked together since 2010 when the school established its Institute of Design Innovation at Forres Enterprise Park.
In January last year the art school and HIE announced plans to expand its activities over the next four years, and launched a £10million joint project to support about 30 jobs locally in research and teaching.
Researchers, staff and students will move to Altyre from their current base later this year.
