Morgan Sindall has started work on the £3 million Ballater Old Royal Station restoration project in Aberdeenshire.

The scheme will see the listed building restored as an important heritage asset and is to be complete by the end of this year.

The works are being carried out after the building was nearly completely destroyed by a fire in 2015.

A replica royal carriage survived the blaze, as well as various undamaged display cases, which will be reinstated as part of the restoration.

Plans will also see a new library and larger exhibition space added to a visitor information centre and restaurant. The principle elevations of the original building will be reinstated, matching the original Victorian architecture and detailing, including a faithful restoration of Queen Victoria's waiting room.

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Speaking during the turf-cutting ceremony, Provost Hamish Vernal said: "Ballater has had a tough time lately. The fire was a terrible tragedy along with the devastation suffered as a consequence of Storm Frank.

"However, I can see real progress with many shops open for business again and more and more residents returned to their homes. Therefore, it is great to see another milestone achieved through the start of the construction work to redevelop the Old Royal Station."

Morgan Sindall area director, Mark McBride, added: "Morgan Sindall has a successful track record of delivering public sector projects and we're proud to have been selected for one that has such significance to people not only in the local area, but across Scotland as a whole.

"It's our first contract awarded through Aberdeenshire Council's Main Contractor Framework and we're pleased to get work underway."

(LM/CD)