Residents of a Deeside village are being asked for their say on plans to transform an historic railway station into the heart of their community.
Aboyne locals are being asked to come forward with suggestions to transform the Old Station building at an “awareness raising” day on Saturday at 10am.
Suggestions so far include turning the structure on Station Brae into a cafe, arts centre, community radio station or space for local charities and volunteers.
Local architect Duncan Robson is heading the project, and said if feeling was strong enough a working group would be formed to progress a community asset transfer of the building.
The building is owned by Aberdeenshire Council and the local authority has confirmed it is willing to work with the Deeside community to come up with new ideas for it.
Currently there are four empty units at the rail station whilst two are currently in use.
Mr Robson, of DWR Architects, said: “It is a listed building and probably the only granite-built railway building in the north of Scotland, and certainly the most ornate.
“Certainly a few of us think there is potential here to look at a community asset transfer, and then get grants and get a combination of uses in there.
“Some of the ideas we have looked at would be a community cafe. We could have a community workshop that could have things going at different periods of time.
“We don’t have a tourist information point in the village, there is a need for one.
“What we are looking to do this weekend is open it up for suggestions. We are trying to see if people are interested and see if we could do this.”
The granite building was first opened as an extension to the Royal Deeside Railway – which ran from Aberdeen to Ballater from 1853 until 1966.
Aboyne councillor Geva Blackett said “Aboyne is so important to the satellite communities in Deeside. I hope everyone – old and young – comes and contributes their ideas to what could be a very important project to the area.”
A council spokeswoman said: “Following consultations on Saturday if there is a desire for a community hub we’ll certainly work with the local community to develop that further.”
The open day to discuss the plans will be held at the rail station itself.