A group of derelict garages in a Moray village are set to be given a new lease of life.
The Findhorn Village Conservation Company has been awarded £180,500 to purchase and transform the Linksview Place lockups.
Historically the 11 garages have been used as workshops, in addition to sheltering cars from the salty sea air.
The locals now intend to restore them to use again, so tradesman can operate out of the amenities to raise money for community projects.
Marjory Barber, FVCC secretary, argued: “You can’t make much money in Findhorn now. There are already two cafes and some shops.
“We already own some land, but it’s really just amenity land and it’s not possible to get any income from it.
“In the first instance, we just want to get the garages used again. We’ve already done some repairs to make them secure and watertight.
“In the future, we would like to see them back as workshops, but also listen to what the community would like. They’re right in the middle of the village, so they are good to have and they will be popular.”
FVCC has been awarded the money from the Big Lottery’s Scottish Land Fund to buy the garages and the surrounding land.
The organisation has long-term ambitions to restore electricity supplies and running water to the lockups.
It is understood the abandoned units are currently owned by a former Findhorn resident who now lives abroad.
Yesterday, Mrs Barber explained discussions were still continuing to agree a price, but said she was “confident” the deal would be done.
An area of grass, which was previously used to store boats, is also included in the ambitious scheme for the small corner of the picturesque Moray village.
Volunteers in Findhorn intend to organise events on the land to bring the community together.
Mrs Barber added: “The way things are going, communities are having to organise more and more themselves, whether it is Elgin, Forres or wherever.
“The community support for this so far has been excellent and, once they are rented out, it will generate income to go back into the area.
“Ideally, we would like to see the grass used for events like car boot sales and galas during the summer and for storage in the winter.”
