Buchan Braes developer in liquidation

THE company behind the redevelopment of a Cold War listening base in Aberdeenshire has gone into voluntary liquidation, citing financial difficulties.

Gordon MacLure, of Inverness-based Johnston Carmichael, has been appointed as liquidator.

A spokesman for Buchan Braes Ltd, which owns the RAF Buchan base at Boddam, near Peterhead, insisted the move would help safeguard the future of the site.

It was bought for 3.5 million in 2005 by former RAF man turned property developer Frank Strang, who also owns the RAF camp at Saxa Vord in Shetland.

Since then a four-star luxury hotel has been opened, along with a nursery and a business centre.

Sam McEwan, a spokesman for Buchan Braes, said: "We have put a lot into this site and we want to retain it."

The four-star Buchan Braes Hotel on the site has a different owner and is not affected by the liquidation.

Hotel boss Kenny Watt said the hotel was fully booked and doing well. He added: "It's business as usual with us."