Dozens of objections have been submitted to try and block controversial plans from a whisky giant to open a new tasting bothy in Moray.
Chivas Brothers has drawn up proposals for the tourist venture near its Glenlivet Distillery.
However, the plans have attracted concerns from people who fear it could impact on the surrounding landscape and the night sky, which has been designated as a Dark Sky Park due to the lack of light pollution in the remote area.
Chivas has stressed that lighting used on the site near the demolished former Glenlivet Distillery will be designed to minimise the effect on the night sky.
The Cairngorms National Park Authority has already used its powers to call in the planning application from Moray Council due to it raising “issues of significance to the collective aims” of the park.
Planners at the organisation received 42 objections from members of the public by the deadline for views to be submitted, including from amateur astronomers.
The countryside surrounding Tomintoul and Glenlivet was designated as the world’s most northerly dark sky park last year amid hopes the prospect of clear views of the stars would attract visitors during the winter months.
Chivas expects that the proposed bothy would be used primarily during daylight hours by groups of up to 12 people with a maximum of four parties visiting each day with an additional six being given the chance to stay overnight.
Documents from the firm explain: “Visitors spending the night will be encouraged to take advantage of being in the centre of one of Scotland’s few dark sky park.
“To accommodate this any lighting will be designed to avoid light pollution.”
