A community has raised more than £10,000 towards a bid to reopen a north courthouse which closed nearly two years ago.
Dornoch Sheriff Court shut in November 2013 and has been largely unoccupied since then.
The Scottish Court Service has confirmed that the building was sold to local businessman Sinclair Mackintosh last month.
Negotiations are now underway to bring the listed building back into full-time use – with proposals on the table including a tea-room, deli and spa.
It is understood that the owners of the Links House Hotel in Dornoch are also involved in discussions about the building’s future.
Meanwhile, Dornoch Area Community Interest Company (DACIC) is working to raise £20,000 to open a new ground floor visitor centre and offices in the court building.
The voluntary organisation works to enhance the town centre, preserve Dornoch’s historic & cultural heritage and develop new business opportunities.
The appeal for donations for the visitor centre has now attracted more than £10,700 from residents and local businesses.
DACIC chairwoman Jennifer Cameron said the building is the “heart of the town” and that investment could secure the future of other services.
She said: “Part of the aim here is for the community and the local businesses to show how valued the building and the services are. I think the donations have already shown that.”
The building hosted its last sheriff court sitting in November 2013, ending more than 500 years of court sittings in the Sutherland town.
Meanwhile Inverness MP Danny Alexander has called for a deadline for relocating the court from Inverness Castle.
Mr Alexander said he did not want plans for the castle to be brought back into public use forgotten about.
A working group is currently developing plans for the future use of the castle if an alternative location for the city’s sheriff and justice of the peace courts can be found.
Highland Council have also submitted plans and approved funding for a viewing gallery to be installed in the castle’s North Tower.
But Mr Alexander said he is concerned the current facility is under added pressure because of the closure of other Highland courts.
The working group considering the castle’s future is chaired by Highland MSP and tourism minister Fergus Ewing, who said that “great progress” has already been made.