A group of Moray crafters have revealed plans to create an escape for people keen to keep traditional skills alive.
Traders at Marcassie Farm in Rafford, near Forres, make their living “from the land” by using natural resources from the area.
Now they want to share their passion for local produce with a wider audience by creating guest accommodation for people to stay on week-long retreats.
Jams and juices are already made from fruit grown on the 18 acre farm, sheep are shorn for wool and willow is grown to be sculpted into baskets.
Farm owners Sven Skatun, who is originally from Norway, and Betsy van der Lee first conceived the idea of using the land to support traditional rural skills when they bought the site 21 years ago.
He said: “Over the years there has been a steady demand for somewhere to accommodate visitors – including crafters and others coming to learn skills.
“Farm workers and tourists also come for a base from which to explore Moray and others simply for a peaceful place to retreat to.
“Skills sharing, mentorship and apprenticeships are integral to what we all do.”
Plans have now been submitted to the council for a total of nine timber lodges, designed by Mr Skatun, which will have a total of 24 beds.
Separate staff accommodation is also included as well as a kitchen and meeting venue.
Mr Skatun runs his carpentry business from the farm and works on specialist joinery projects in his workshop from wood grown in the area.
A filmmaking company and naturalist explorers who forage for wild food and track animals are also based on the farm, which can be home to wildlife including badgers, deer and otters.
All are expected to be part of the experience for visitors to the beauty spot.
Karen Collins runs her firm, Naturally Useful, there and grows her own willow to be woven into baskets and uses wool to make shrouds.
The business owner, who moved to Moray from Yorkshire 20 years ago to teach crafts, already runs apprenticeships to pass on traditional skills but believes the serene beauty of the countryside farm has untapped potential.
She said: “It’s so important for people to be able to visit and go away having learned a skill.
“We really want to have the whole farm as a sustainable centre for learning to make people aware of the importance of local trade, which supports local jobs.”
