Villagers are delighted after winning the rights from South Ayrshire Council to buy land at the historic Dundonald Castle.

Friends of Dundonald Castle want the plot to build a replacement visitor hub. The charity applied to purchase the land and the existing visitor centre, owned by the local authority, for £28,000. The charity are getting a discount as the land and visitor centre is worth £31,500. They will find out in March if they are successful.

Their community asset transfer request was signed off by councillors on Tuesday, February 18 at the South Ayrshire Council leadership panel.

Project co-ordinator Phil Galbraith said: “The Trustees of the Friends of Dundonald Castle are absolutely blown away by the council’s decision. Not just by the approval of the community asset transfer, but by the warm endorsements of what we do at the visitor centre.

“We are sure that the village and our 220 members will be equally delighted.”

The group runs the popular attraction at the hilltop castle which saw 25,000 visits last year. The 14th century castle was home to Scots King Robert II, grandson of Robert the Bruce.

Mr Galbraith said the money “will enable Friends of Dundonald Castle to complete the transfer and we will be able to move onto creating a larger centre which is desperately needed.”

Many Councillors have praised the takeover, seeing it a positive move on behalf of the council. Depute council leader Councillor Brian McGinley, Labour, described it as a “robust and proactive proposal” and SNP Councillor Peter Henderson, speaking at the meeting, said the takeover is an “ideal example of community empowerment at work.”

SNP Councillor Julie Dettbarn said: “I am absolutely delighted to support this application. It is a picture-perfect asset transfer.”

Mr Galbraith thanked council staff and others for offering support and advice over the community asset transfer.