A photographer has revealed her heartbreak at losing her work and equipment in the fire that destroyed an historic Deeside building.
About 50 firefighters tackled the blaze at the Old Royal Station in Ballater last Tuesday, but most of the wooden building was burned out.
Amy Muir, who ran her photography business from the building, watched in horror as the fire took hold.
The 27-year-old, who is originally from Ballater, has lived in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Canada but said it had always been her dream to open a photography shop in her hometown.
She has not been able to access the shop since the blaze but believes the damage to be extensive.
“I was woken up about 3am by police telling me my shop was on fire,” she said.
“My partner and I ran down and it was just catching at that point.
“We watched it burn for about three or four hours just stunned.
“I haven’t been able to go in yet but from the outside it’s completely unrecognisable.
“I’m sure all my equipment is gone and a lot of pictures for clients.
“It was always my dream to come back and open up a shop here – now it’s gone.”
Ms Muir only launched the business a year ago after working as a freelance photographer for a number of local and national newspapers and magazines.
She has now decided to take a break to consider what to do next.
She added: “I’m working from home at the moment but I think I’m going to be taking a wee break now and try to figure some things out.”
Other businesses in the building included Lucy’s Clothing, the Station restaurant and and a visitor information centre.
But the biggest attraction was the railway museum, which featured a replica of the Royal carriage used by Queen Victoria when she travelled from Windsor to nearby Balmoral Castle.
Firefighters managed to save the replica carriage and some of the artefacts, but locals last week admitted they did not think the original waiting room of the rail station would ever be restored to its former glory.
In the meantime, a Facebook page has been set up for people to share their memories and photographs of the station building.
An investigation into the cause of the blaze is being carried out by fire and police officers.