A PROPERTY development company specialising in the conversion of historic listed buildings has bought Fort Augustus Abbey, it was announced yesterday.
The Raven Group has purchased the site at the west end of Loch Ness and intends to turn it into high-class apartments. Humphrey Kelsey, development executive of the Raven Group, said: ''Our aim with Fort Augustus Abbey is to restore the building to its former splendour through its conversion into quality residential apartments.
''We are keen to involve the Fort Augustus Abbey Preservation Trust and the local community in the development process and can confirm that there will be provision for community facilities within the proposal.''
He added: ''We are aware that the building is in a deteriorating state of repair and that it is critical to start the restoration work as soon as possible.''
In June, the A-listed building was bought at an auction for (pounds) 850,000 by a property developer from Bury who had not even seen the abbey.
Formerly owned by Terry Nutkins, the TV wildlife expert, the abbey dominates the village which stands at the end of Loch Ness in the Great Glen, 34 miles from Inverness.
The community-based Fort Augustus Abbey Preservation Trust had attempted a buyout, offering (pounds) 775,000 with plans to transform the building into a tourist and timeshare business.
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