A historic Moray estate was revitalised yesterday as artists celebrated the start of a new chapter for the picturesque site.
The formerly derelict Blairs Steading, at the Altyre Estate outside Forres, underwent a £2.5million upgrade, in advance of students from the Glasgow School of Art moving into the property late last year.
The disused building underwent extensive refurbishment in order to incorporate modern learning spaces and art studios.
And the A-listed venue was abuzz with excitement when its new role as the Highlands and Islands Creative Campus was formally launched.
The grand opening coincided with the Glasgow School of Art’s annual winter school event – which brings international design experts, researchers and students to Scotland.
Campus director, Irene McAra-McWilliam, said it marked “the beginning of a new era”.
She added: “We are looking forward to building our presence in the area, and ensuring the region becomes more internationally connected.
“We aim to contribute to the development of a long-term and sustainable creative future for the region.”
Some of the researchers, who moved into the venue in November, had been working from an institute in Forres Enterprise Park since 2011.
But as the new campus develops, the talented students there aim to build closer links with Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the surrounding community.
Interim chief executive of HIE, Charlotte Wright, argued the new base would play a “vital role” in creating career opportunities in the north.
She said: “The campus will attract increasing numbers of students and deliver a range of social and economic benefits to the region.”
Postgraduate and research programmes taking place at the site include work with NHS Grampian and a project aimed at preserving traditional craft skills.
Blairs Steading was built in the 1830s, and is set in 12,000 acres of countryside.
Moray MSP, Richard Lochhead, hailed the launch as “one of the region’s most exciting developments in recent years”.
He added: “We now have a very special new institution creating jobs and putting Moray on the map for art and design education.
“It’s easy to see how the campus is going to become an international attraction, not only because of its courses, but its spectacular rural location and beautiful buildings.”