Vital funding has been provided to help secure the future of a historic Strathearn hotel.
Crieff Community Trust (CCT) has been awarded £17,000 for a feasibility study into plans for community ownership of the former Drummond Arms Hotel in Crieff.
Perth and Kinross Council has provided £10,000, with the remaining £7,000 coming from the Scottish Land Fund.
The Drummond Arms in Crieff was most famously used by Bonnie Prince Charlie in February 1746 when he used it to host his last war council prior to the Jacobites marching north to the historic defeat at Culloden two months later.
It was known at that time as the Drummond Arms Inn. A red plaque is fastened to the wall of the Drummond Arms Hotel to mark the occasion.
The former hotel has remained unoccupied for years and is now in a dilapidated condition. However, members of CCT believe the feasibility study could lead to community ownership as they see the site as being an “ideal base” to deliver innovative projects that will benefit the whole area.
On Monday, Ailsa Campbell, chair of CCT, said the recently-completed Community Action Plan for Crieff identified that enhancing the town centre was a “top priority”, particularly in relation to addressing the issue of derelict buildings and exploring the potential of the Drummond Arms.
She said: “The trust knows how important these disused sites are to the community and we are pleased to be moving forward.
“CCT has appointed Community Enterprise to carry out the work – they have 20 years’ experience in the field. CCT and Community Enterprise want to make sure the community is given every opportunity to have their say during this study.
“There will be a series of consultation events that will be taking place over the next few months.
“This feasibility work is due to be completed by the end of February 2017.”
The Scottish Land Fund is delivered in partnership by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Big Lottery Fund on behalf of the Scottish Government.
