A Highland community is moving ahead with its plans to buy 74 acres of woodland that could help to boost the local economy and create new jobs.
Glengarry Community Woodland steering group was set up to consider the possibility of buying the Forestry Commission Scotland-owned Old Forest Depot and woodland, near the village hall, on the A87 Invergarry to Kyle road.
The group conducted a ballot of people living in the Invergarry area in August and 89.3% of those who returned their ballot papers voted in favour.
Steering group secretary, Grace Grant, said they had since met with representatives of the National Forest Land Scheme evaluation panel, which will make a recommendation to the director of Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) regarding their application to buy the land, which has been valued at £200,000.
She said they were hoping to have a decision by the end of this month.
Meanwhile, the steering group has advertised for tenders for someone to carry out a feasibility study and prepare a business plan for the project.
Mrs Grant said they had received several quotes and planned to carry out interviews during the week beginning October 20.
She said: “If our application is accepted, we will then have 18 months to find the money.
“We are planning to apply to the Scottish Land Fund to part-fund the purchase and will need to look for other fundraising opportunities.
“We will also form a limited company with charitable status as that seems to be the best way to ensure that any profits are ploughed back into the community.”
She added that, if their bid to purchase the site was accepted by FCS, they would hold another public meeting to inform the community about progress and to invite local people to join the limited company.”
Local people have also been asked for their ideas on possible uses for the site.
Suggestions so far include creating arts and crafts units, a mountain biking centre, a skateboarding park, other outdoor activities, making and selling wood pellets and building a couple of affordable houses for key workers.