Christopher Moran, owner of Cabrach Estate, has agreed to look at how he can help the local community.

The pledge came in a meeting at the Cabrach last weekend with Moray MSP Richard Lochhead.

The wealthy landowner has come in for criticism in the past over the number of empty and derelict properties on his 48,000-acre estate.

However, Mr Lochhead described his meeting with the London-based financier and property developer as "both constructive and productive".

He outlined the local community moves to regenerate the area following the decision by Moray Council earlier this year to mothball Cabrach Primary School due to a dwindling school roll. The future of the school, which currently has just four pupils, now lies with Scottish Ministers.

If they ratify the closure decision by the council,

the school will close at the end of the Christmas term.

"As the local landowner, Mr Moran was very interested to hear about developments, and has agreed to give some thought as to how he may be able to help," Mr Lochhead revealed.

"I will be continuing my discussions with Mr Moran in the coming weeks.

"It is my hope that ongoing discussions involving the local community, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and others, including Sir Christopher Moran and myself, can help promote the local community and bring economic and social progress to the area."

However, he added: "It remains the case that the council's proposal to close the local school is currently with Scottish Ministers for consideration."

Parent Helena Sierakowska is spearheading the move to save the school and regenerate the community. A local committee has been formed, and has already held discussions with Moray Council, enterprise company HIE Moray and Mr Lochhead.

Mrs Sierakowska, whose two children attend the school, said that any support from Sir Christopher would be very much welcomed.

"The answer to this community's problems lies in his hands. There are nearly 30 empty or derelict properties in the Cabrach," she said.

"Sir Christopher owns most of the houses, and it would be good to see them used and done up, and kept in good order, rather than just rotting away, and the community rotting away with them.

"Years ago there used to be more than 100 people living in the Cabrach, but now it is down to less than 50, which is very sad."

Mrs Sierakowska said that the long-term aim was to see more families come and live in the Cabrach, but in the short term the community group is looking at ways of better utilising the school and encouraging more people to visit the area. She remains hopeful that the school can be saved.

"There are some good things happening at Holyrood. The SNP have stopped a few small school closures. I am still optimistic," she said.

The school is the only public building left in the Cabrach, and Mrs Sierakowska said that the group was looking at promoting more community activities, such as keep-fit and computing.

There is also a move to develop a local footpath network and win improved signage and enhanced visitor information.

A spokesman for Moray Council said: "As the council's decision to close Cabrach is with Scottish Ministers at this time, it would not be appropriate for Moray Council to continue to negotiate with local stakeholders over the future of the school.

"During the school estate consultation period, the then local member, Bob Wilson, met twice with the Cabrach Estate owner, Mr Moran. Unfortunately no indication of changes in the regime of the estate – particularly whereby more families would be able to move into the area – were envisaged by Mr Moran.

"It is good news that Mr Lochhead appears to be having more success than Moray Council has had so far. We await the outcome of his current discussions with interest."

Franziska Smith, development manager with HIE Moray, said: "We will work with the community to achieve their aspirations, and their aspirations are very sensible and achievable."

She said the bottom line was to have more people living in the area, and the question of the empty properties was a longer-term issue, and the school a political issue.

However, HIE Moray will help the community group formally constitute itself as a body and look at funding for a variety of simple measures to promote the area.

Ms Smith and a member of the council's community development team met with the Cabrach group last week. Among the issues discussed were improved leisure provision through increased activities at the school, promoting the Grouse Inn as a visitor facility.

"It also highlighted the walks and heritage of the area, and we might look at some interpretation boards and improved signage. We could attract ramblers to come up there."

There is also a move from the Huntly end to establish a pathway to the Speyside Way known as the Strathbogie-Cabrach trail, and the Cabrach group will look to link into the development of that project.

"There will be ongoing dialogue to assist them with these projects and funding, where appropriate, or to access further funding," added Ms Smith.

Councillor Fiona Murdoch (Speyside-Glenlivet) said: "It would be wonderful if they could regenerate the Cabrach. A lot depends on the co-operation of the landlord, which has been the sticking point in the past.

"I do hope Richard Lochhead has been able to find a way the community can work with the landowner. I wish them lots of luck."

At the time of going to press, no-one from Sir Christopher's London office was available for comment.

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