A campaign to transform a disused Moray fishery into an education centre has won support from as far afield as the West Indies.
The former fishery at Loch of Blairs, near to Forres, has been closed down for 15 years and neglected to the point it has become dilapidated and overgrown with weeds.
However, local volunteers have been working hard over the last year to try and revive the scenic location and turn it back into a vibrant place.
Their plans include building an educational field study classroom in the former bothy building and a larger teaching environment for local school children in the old cart-room and stable.
To do this, the charity Friends of Blair Loch need to raise a substantial amount of money, including £30,000 for the initial boathouse renovation.
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Finderne Community Council chairman Brian Higgs is a member of the group and highlighted the important work volunteers were undertaking and what the next steps are for them.
He said: “In terms of work we have done recently, we have built a new boat building platform as the old one was dangerous.
“We have put a small bridge across to an island where we hope to put in a bird hide for the kids.
“And we have also received permission from SEPA to clear excessive weeds in the loch so that fingers crossed to put into trout late August of September.”
Up next for the group is to renovate the boathouse, which they hope to get finished during the summer, in time for schools to use it as a classroom at the start of the school year.
Volunteers are continuing to fundraise for this, and even got a £450 donation from a Forres ex-pat who is living in the West Indies.
Currently, their total stands at £4,000, although they are involved in the Tesco’s Bag for Life scheme in the Forres store.
Mr Higgs added: “We are taking things one step at a time but like most charities we are desperate for money so every little helps donation-wise.
“We need a financial breakthrough that will allow us to go get these grants that you need match-funding for.”
You can become a friend of Blair’s Loch and donate at: www.blairsloch.com.
