The Cabrach Trust facility at the Inverharroch Farm aims to celebrate the heritage of the remote rural area, which was at the centre of illicit whisky-making in the 18th century.

The project will include a museum of illicit whisky and smuggling, and a learning centre, plus a working distillery designed to replicate the kind of operation found in the Cabrach in the 1830s.

The Heritage Centre was granted planning permission in September 2017, and Forres-based practice LDN Architects has been drafted in to draw up detailed plans while fundraising efforts continue.

It is now hoped that work on the centre and distillery can begin this year, and that it will be able to open within the next couple of years.

A drop-in session to showcase the plans will be held at the Grouse Inn on March 28 from 6-8pm.

Peter Bye Jensen, heritage manager of the Cabrach Trust, said: “The Cabrach has played a central role in Scottish history; it was the home of Jacobite rebels, its illegal whisky trade led to the Scotch whisky industry we know today, and its people fought in the country’s great wars but all this was in danger of being forgotten.

“The Heritage Centre will bring that history to life and unveil the secrets of the Cabrach through interactive exhibits where visitors will travel back in time to experience life in this harsh but beautiful place.”

Peter McIlhenny, a partner at Forres-based LDN Architects, added: “This project will transform an existing ancient steading into a visitor attraction, centred around a museum and distillery.”