Residents of Glen Coe in bid to buy old hospital

RESIDENTS in a famous Highland glen have launched a bid to buy a disused hospital under community right-to-buy legislation.

Glencoe Hospital has lain empty and boarded up since it was closed by NHS Highland in 2008.

The South Lochaber Community Company (SLCC), wants to refurbish the landmark and turn it into workshops, a conference centre and youth club at a cost of 1.5 million.

It has lodged an interest under community right-to-buy legislation and launched a vote on the issue among residents.

Highland Council will conduct the ballot with 2,100 voting papers sent out. The decision will be relayed to the Scottish Government, which is expected to decide in April whether there is enough community backing to progress the project.

SLCC spokesman Donald Stewart said he hoped residents would back the "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity", adding: "Soundings suggest people want to see the hospital used for community benefit. We will only do it if its viable and we consider it to be viable."

It is planned to call the building the Strathcona Centre, after Lord Strathcona who built the mansion house in 1896 as his home after buying the Glencoe Estate.