A landmark building in Ayrshire is set to benefit from funding of £110,000 to help develop its tourist potential.

Amongst the plans for Maybole Castle, which as been on the Buildings at Risk Register since 2009, is an external face-lift.

Much of the repairs needed to the Castle require traditional building skills, and the project team hope to employ local people for the development work and future maintenance.

A £109,024 grant is to be given to the Maybole Castle Community Trust from Historic Scotland's building repairs grants scheme.

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The trust is currently in talks with castle owners Culzean and Cassillis Estates about taking over the landmark building, a highly visible tower said to date from 1560, situated on the A77 through Maybole.

Maybole Castle Community Trust spokesman Peter Walker said: "We are delighted with this award. Maybole Castle is an iconic building in the heart of the town. We still have long way to go, but this award is a much welcomed start."

Cabinet secretary for culture, Fiona Hyslop, said the grant will help secure the future of a unique building, a rare survivor of a high-status town house.

She added: "Our heritage lies at the heart of our identity, and contributes substantially to our reputation at home and abroad. In tough economic times, maintaining our historic environment ensures valuable sites such as Maybole Castle will continue to play a key role in their communities from helping to maintain skills and jobs in the traditional building trades through to maximising their tourism potential."

(JG/BMcC)