A tiny Highland community plans to bring its former school back to life as a village hall after buying the building.
The West Glenmoriston Community Company could also use Dalchreichart Primary School, near Glenmoriston, as a shelter for locals in the event of long-term power cuts, such as those caused by the storms in December.
The keys for the school will be formally handed over tomorrow and the Victorian building will be used by clubs and for meetings, as well as providing computer access to local residents.
Angela Yair, who is one of the company directors, said: “It will be a small meeting place where people can gather. Hopefully it will bring the community together. We want to bring everybody together.”
The community company was given £95,360 from the Scottish Land Fund to buy the school, which has lain empty for years after being mothballed by Highland Council in August 2002 when there were just two children on its roll.
In 2006 it was formally closed and put on the market by the council for offers over £160,000.
Last October the community company signed a one-year lease for the property, before buying it over.
As well as the school, the company will take ownership of the former schoolhouse and just under an acre of land and two dilapidated, detached sheds.
The charity funding will also pay for a part-time project manager to run the centre for two years.
Mrs Yair added the former school could also function as a rescue centre if needed, especially if the group got a wood-burning stove and gas cooker that could be used in the event of a blackout.
She said some properties in the isolated glen were without power for three days last year following a power cut and locals pitched in to help out elderly residents.
She said: “We would take them along and take them back home if required. It would be nice for them to be able to sit and chat and not sit there in the dark.”
Mrs Yair said fundraising is ongoing for work needed on the roof and floor of the building.
The formal handover to the community takes place tomorrow from 7pm.