A £2.5million project to transform a historic Moray estate into a modern mecca for learning has been announced.
An A-listed steading at the Altyre Estate, outside Forres, is slated to become a world class university research centre.
Negotiations are under way to secure the Blairs Steading as a regional base for the Glasgow School of Art, though last night the institute was unwilling to disclose how far talks have reached.
The vast steading has fallen into dilapidation after lying dormant for decades, but will soon be converted into a campus featuring an art studio and exhibition rooms, lecture halls and a laboratory.
Community leaders are hailing the project as a massive boon to the area’s economy.
Last night Sir Alastair Gordon Cumming, owner of the Alytre Estate, spoke of his pride at the emerging project.
He said: “After a long period of detailed planning we are very pleased that work has now commenced on this project.
“Altyre is proud to be working with HIE on a set of passionately shared objectives to bring educational, research, enterprise and economic benefits to Moray, the Highlands and Islands and to Scotland at large.”
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has ploughed £750,000 into the renovation project and Historic Scotland has pledged a further £500,000 towards improvements.
The remainder of the cost will be covered by the 1,000-year-old estate.
Historic Scotland’s head of investment, Martin Fairley, added: “It’s hugely encouraging to see these previously redundant, A-listed buildings given a sustainable future.
“I’m sure the benefits of this project will be felt by the local community and beyond for many years to come.”
HIE and the Glasgow School of Art have worked together since 2010 when the school established its Institute of Design Innovation at the town’s Enterprise Park.
In January the art school and HIE announced plans to expand activities in Forres over the next four years, and launched a £10million joint project which is expected to support about 30 jobs locally in research and teaching.