A Moray golf club has taken possession of a derelict eyesore that has proved a drain on the resources of members.
The disused water tower has stood next to the final holes at Keith Golf Club since the course was built more than 50 years ago.
It was once used to increase the pressure to homes in nearby Fife Keith but the imposing structure has fallen into disrepair since it became redundant more than a decade ago.
The tower has nonetheless continued to be one of the biggest burdens on the club’s finances, with members renting it as a store for equipment, at a monthly cost of £1,800.
Now Scottish Water has transferred ownership of the tower to the golf club under community empowerment legislation – the first time the agency has handed over a building in such a way.
Natalie Alexander, estates surveyor for the agency, explained the organisation hoped the transfer would help deliver benefits to the community.
She added: “We are delighted to support this and other opportunities where community-based groups have the passion and capabilities to take over assets that are no longer needed and to put them to good use for local people.
“We expect to be involved in further successful asset transfer requests in the near future.”
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead, who supported the transfer, said: “The team at Keith Golf Club has put in a phenomenal amount of work to get to this stage and it’s great that the old water tower is now under their ownership.
“I know this will make a big difference to long term sustainability of the club.
“The club plays a key role in the community and I’m pleased that we’ve managed to secure the community asset transfer that everyone has been hoping for.”
Keith Golf Club currently has about 140 members and is also a meeting point for social events for the local community.
Club captain Ian Wilson said: “We’re extremely pleased to now be official owners of the tower.
“It is an asset the club and surrounding community can benefit from. We’re truly delighted to have got to this point.”
