A kirk which has lain empty for a decade could be transformed into a Mecca for climbing fans from all over Scotland.
Ambitious plans have been unveiled to transform the old Elgin South Church into an indoor centre for mountain sports enthusiasts.
It would feature a 35ft climbing wall, changing rooms and a cafe and could be open by the end of this year.
And the woman behind the scheme said last night she was convinced there was a demand for the facilities it would offer.
Jo Maunder, of Mosstowie, said: “As soon as the weather turns at Aviemore the options for climbers in Moray are very limited.
“I’ve spent the last two years researching this, speaking to many experienced climbers, as well as to schools and businesses
“The reaction I’ve received is that there’s a definite demand for this centre and it would be really well used.
“I’ve also spent time going to other climbing walls across the country to see what’s on offer and have identified a company who would build and install the wall.”
Miss Maunder has now lodged a planning application for the £250,000 transformation of the church with Moray Council.
If granted consent at the next planning committee meeting in September, the centre could potentially be in a position to open by the end of the year.
Steve Bate, who earlier this year became the first visually-impaired climber to make a solo ascent of the notorious 3,000ft El Capitan rock face in California, welcomed Miss Maunder’s plans last night.
He said: “If it’s done right this has the potential to be the best climbing wall in the whole of Scotland.
“This scheme has got great scope and it’s really excellent news.
“It’s what experienced climbers in Moray have been crying out for and it would also be of real benefit in attracting new people to the sport.”
Miss Maunder originally bought the former Church of Scotland building in South Guildry Street in 2006.
Her initial aim was to open it up as a children’s nursery.
However, she said that idea proved unworkable after Scottish National Heritage insisted on the replacement of ironwork which once stood outside the kirk.
The railings were removed during the early 1940s to help the war effort.
She later gained planning permission to convert the building into six flats.
But then that project was left financially unviable following the housing crash.
Her application for a climbing centre also includes two “boulder rooms”, an office and a reception area.
In addition, it also seeks permission for 10 parking spaces down one side of the church, which is adjacent to Moray College.
The proposed centre would be open from 10am-8pm, six days a week.
Currently, the only other indoor climbing wall in Moray is at Speyside High School, which is only open for limited periods during term time.
The nearest other walls are in Grantown, Inverness and Aberdeen.