A pub in the heart of an Aberdeenshire village will reopen today, more than two years after the last pint was pulled.
The Kintore Arms closed its doors in 2013, with locals fearing they had lost their only watering hole forever after plans were lodged to transform it into flats and a takeaway.
The proposals were rejected, and local man Steve MacDonald – who worked as a barman there 10 years ago – has taken it over and will bring it back to life as The Square Bar and Lounge.
It is hoped a younger clientele will also be tempted through the doors with a new cocktail menu.
The grand reopening was due to take place last week, but was postponed after Mr MacDonald sent his contractors to help those affected by Storm Frank.
Yesterday, Mr MacDonald said: “I think people are expecting to see the same things as before, maybe given it a bit of paint – but it’s a total change.
“Even though it was a pub before we decided to turn it into a lounge and bar after seeing what Kintore and Inverurie didn’t have.
“And this is what we came up with; something different to the working man’s pub that is was before.
“We hope that everyone who used to come to the pub here will still come along – but we’re also hoping that what we’ve done that is new will in turn attract a new demographic.
“We will now be serving cocktails and things like that which hasn’t been done before out here, so it’s a totally different feel.”
Mr MacDonald said he could not wait to see people’s reaction at the transformation which has gone on behind closed doors.
He added: “The bit that is going to get me is seeing people’s faces when they walk in and see the change that the place has undergone.
“From the word go that’s the bit I have been waiting for, no one has seen inside, there have been no pictures. We’ve tried to keep it all well hidden.”
