Forres Town Hall has stood on the High Street since the mid 19th Century.
Campaigners who have secured the purchase of a Moray town hall have been congratulated in the Scottish Parliament for reaching the milestone.
The Forres Area Community Trust (Fact) has been awarded £116,365 by the Scottish Land Fund to help complete the purchase.
The group was already developing plans to take over Forres Town Hall before it was threatened with closure by Moray Council as part of budget cuts.
The trust has drawn up ambitious proposals for the Victorian building with hopes of installing tiered seating to make it more attractive to be used by performers and for film screenings.
Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has lodged a motion at Holyrood to praise the work of the group.
He said: “The Town Hall, or Mechanics Institute as it is sometimes called, is one of the most distinctive buildings on what must be one of Scotland’s finest high streets.
“I’m delighted that its future has been secured for the community and that it will continue to play an important part in the life of the town.
“This is just the latest chapter in a proud story for the Town Hall which has included being used as a Masonic hall and as a wartime hospital.”
