Plans to revive a rural Moray community by capitalising on its whisky heritage have been boosted by the appointment of a new manager to lead the project.
The Cabrach Trust, which was formed to help breathe new life into the remote corner of the region, has appointed Justin Livesey to help oversee its aims.
The group’s main goal is converting disused buildings at Inverharroch Farm into a £5.3million distillery, with an accompanying visitor centre highlighting the area’s past.
Members are also working on transforming an old school house into accommodation for up to eight visitors, with the school itself acting as offices and a warehouse for the malt produced.
Mr Livesey has been tasked with ensuring the smooth handover of the school buildings from Moray Council during the one-year post, as well as advancing plans for the distillery and visitor centre.
The local authority approved the transfer of the buildings – worth a combined £120,000 – to the Cabrach Trust in March.
Mr Livesey previously headed up the visitor centre team at Dufftown’s Glenfiddich Distillery and was in charge of business development with the Tomintoul and Glenlivet Development Trust.
He said: “This is the only project to significantly invest in the Cabrach and its community.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for me to get involved in something different, and I look forward to bringing new opportunities to the Cabrach.
“The Cabrach is very isolated and has seen many people move away from the area over a short period.
“However, its unique community is so deserving of a new lease of life.”
The trust’s executive director, Sue Savege, added: “Mr Livesey’s previous experience of working on similar rural regeneration projects and in roles at visitor centres meant he was the ideal candidate.”
The proposed new distillery will employ distilling, maturation and bottling techniques used in the early 19th-century.
Plans for the heritage centre include a cafe, exhibition space for public and private hire and a gift shop.
The Old Cabrach Hall will be used as a training and meeting venue, which will be available for hire to community groups.
