A former primary school in Peterhead could be transformed into a bustling community centre if a local history group gets its way.
The Buchan Heritage Society is hoping to buy the building in the town’s Ugie Street from Aberdeenshire Council for £1 and preserve it as a meeting point for generations to come.
Peterhead councillors will decide if the plans can go ahead when the Buchan area committee meets on Tuesday.
The refurbishment would allow the heritage society to remain in the building where it hosts workshops on Doric and helps people trace their family tree.
Last night the group’s chairman Alex Geddes said members also wanted to refurbish the former school so it could be enjoyed by the whole community for events and activities.
“The main focus has been to safeguard the building. It was built in 1850, so we wanted to make sure it was safe,” he said.
“It already hosts evening classes and clubs, as well as the heritage centre. The transfer will allow us to apply for community funding to bring the building back up to a good standard.
“Once we secure that funding we’re hoping to enhance what we’re doing there. The facilities aren’t really suitable for some of the groups that want to use it.”
Ritchie Johnson, Aberdeenshire Council’s director of community services, has described the proposal as “appropriate” in his report on the proposed sale.
He will tell councillors: “”Working with the local community, the society will develop a community hub that will provide a wide range of activities, training and volunteering opportunities as well as focal point for all current and future community needs and events.”