A Cairngorms museum has reopened its doors following a massive refurbishment to better showcase the rich heritage of the area.
The former Tomintoul Museum has been rebranded as the Discovery Centre following a ceremony in the village yesterday.
The future of the building had been cast into doubt when Moray Council withdrew its financial support for it four years ago.
However, following a transfer into the ownership of the Tomintoul and Glenlivet Development Trust (TGDT), a £500,000 project has breathed fresh life into it.
Yesterday, Clare Russell, Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire, cut the ribbon to begin a new era for the building.
Doug Nisbet, TGDT chairman, said: “The Discovery Centre is a valuable asset to our communities, providing a fascinating history of the area with orientation and visitor information on Tomintoul and Glenlivet within the Cairngorms National Park.
“It will also provide an important community space that residents and local groups can benefit from.”
The refurbishment has included the creation of a virtual reality experience and digital archive to research local history.
The museum continues to be central to the attraction though with artefacts to show the area’s cultural and natural heritage.
A first-floor flat has also been refurbished, which is currently home to the Tomintoul and Glenlivet Landscape Partnership (TGLP) who have spearheaded the project.
Two new jobs have been created as well as numerous volunteering opportunities.
TGLP chairman Steve Smith said: “This will help visitors to discover and enjoy the landscapes and hidden heritage of the area.
“It’s great to see the opening of the Discovery Centre, which is the culmination of many years of effort by the community to transform this facility.”
The refurbishment was one of the key projects of the £3.6million TGLP project, which has been financed by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Funding for the revamp has also come from the Cairngorms’ Leader programme, which allocates cash from the Scottish Government and the European Community, as well as Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
Moray MP Douglas Ross added: “I am certain this will be a great asset for Tomintoul, attracting local people and visitors to the area. The final result is a centre which is welcoming, informative and full of the history of the local communities.”
The attraction will be open daily until the end of October.
