A heritage group has cracked open a World War II air raid shelter for the first time in decades as part of plans to rejuvenate a Moray town centre.
The Buckie and District Fishing Heritage Group aims to transform the derelict structure into a tourist attraction focusing on the wartime years.
Yesterday, they arranged for metal doors to be torn from its front so that they could inspect its decaying interior.
The shelter is nestled beneath the town’s war memorial statue, along North High Street.
Local historians believe yesterday was the first time it had been opened since the late 1960s.
The heritage group’s chairman John Addison and directors Jim Farquhar and Ron Stewart trudged through piles of grimy debris and beamed torches across the cramped shelter as they evaluated whether it could be re-purposed.
Mr Stewart said: “We want to use it as a visitor centre, with air raid displays, if we are able to convert it.
“Nobody knew what was actually in there until now, and you can still very much see how it was used at the time.
“We think there would have been about 60 people in there at times, and you can still how it was divided.
“We think developing it would enhance the centre of the town, and draw more tourists in.”
Moray Council consultancy and estates officers supervised the process, and checked that the building was in a safe condition.
They will now compile a report advising on whether it is structurally sound and fit for redevelopment.
The ambitious project is being backed by the Buckie Regeneration Group.
Group chairman Gordon McDonald, who is also a Buckie councillor, outlined his hopes that the scheme could move forward.
After donning a hard hat and examining the derelict venue, Mr McDonald said its cramped surroundings brought home the tough conditions locals lived through during WWII.
He said: “It’s almost claustrophobic inside, and it makes you appreciate what it must have been like for the people cramped inside fearing for their lives.
“This is clearly a major part of Buckie’s history, and this idea would be great for tourism.”
Fellow ward member, Sonya Warren, said the shelter had “a lot of potential” after inspecting its interior for herself.
