Students and staff have started lessons at a historic Moray steading after spending £2.5million transforming it into a world-class learning space.
The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) has breathed new life into the once-dilapidated A-listed building at the Altyre Estate, near Forres.
The 19th century Blair’s Steading has been reborn as the central belt school’s Highlands and Islands creative campus.
Staff, postgraduate students and researchers who specialise in design have now moved into the recently refurbished site for a “settling in period” ahead of a grand opening next year.
Director of the fledgling campus, Professor Irene McAra-McWilliam, believes the 1,000-year-old estate will inspire art students.
She said: “This is an excellent development for The Glasgow School of Art.
“The campus location gives us a fantastic opportunity to research and teach in a vibrant rural area.
“We are contributing to the long-term development of an internationally connected Highlands and Islands.”
GSA says the new venture will complement its flagship campus in Glasgow and an offshoot in Singapore.
The new campus will open in January, during a two-week programme where GSA will invite international students and academics to explore life in the north of Scotland.
The design researchers who have moved into the venue have carried out their work at an institute in Forres Enterprise Park since 2011.
The steading revamp was backed to the tune of £750,000 by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Historic Scotland pledged a further £500,000 and the remainder of the bill was met by the 1,000-year-old Altyre Estate.
HIE’s Douglas Cowan said: “The Blairs Steadings development is bringing previously disused buildings back into productive use as a world class university research and teaching facility.
“The move will bring social and economic benefits across Moray and the Highlands and Islands.”
Sir Alastair Gordon-Cumming, the owner and seventh baronet of the 13,000 acre estate, said the students would liven up the ancient setting.
He added: “I am delighted that students are beginning to enjoy their new home at Altyre.
“I am very excited by their presence on the estate as it brings a fresh outlook on things around us.”