A tourist village is facing a race against time to meet a funding deadline and create an all access pathway.
Findhorn, on the Moray Firth, was bequeathed money by a local whisky industry legend to build a wheelchair access path along the shore and enable all visitors to enjoy the stunning views.
The Findhorn Village Conservation Company (TFVCC) has used the bequest from David Urquhart to raise £170,000 for the project – but still needs a final £15,000 to meet funding deadlines and allow work to begin next month.
It has now launched a crowdfunding appeal to raise the outstanding amount and hopes that former Findhorn residents from around the world will help to reach the total.
Frank Allan, chairman of TFVCC, said: “This final sum is the key to unlocking the project to allow wheelchair users and others access to superb views of the Moray Firth and realise the vision and legacy of one man.”
Mr Urquhart was a Findhorn resident, a former joint-managing director of Gordon and MacPhail and Master of the Quaich, who died in 2015 at the age of 63 after a long battle with cancer.
He left money to the village for improving a shoreline path, which currently has steps, slipways and other obstructions which prevent wheelchair users, the elderly and families with buggies or prams from using it.
The path runs from the harbour area in the village centre to the boatyard.
It follows the eastern shoreline of Findhorn Bay and is part of the local nature reserve, where the River Findhorn enters the Moray Firth.
Mr Allan said: “At the moment, the disabled, the elderly and families with young children cannot reach the varied landscapes and wildlife of this area.
“David realised it had to be improved to allow everyone to have access to the fantastic views.
“We are so close to making his vision a reality, but we need this final push to meet funding deadlines and allow the work to proceed.
“There are many people around the world with a Findhorn connection and we are appealing to them and others to help us out.”
Findhorn is one of the Moray Firth’s most popular tourist attractions and TFVCC has already installed several benches along the path route.
The improvements have been designed to blend in sympathetically with the surrounding environment.
Donations can be made to the David Urquhart Memorial Path at:
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/du-footpath-findhorn