A former archaeological visitor centre in Aberdeenshire has been put up for sale.

Hailed by Shepherd Chartered Surveyors as a “unique development opportunity”, the site is located close to the village of Oyne, a settlement three miles south-east of Insch, set against the backdrop of the Bennachiehill range.

The site has been brought to the market following a difficult history. A local press report stated the Archaeolink Prehistory Park originally opened in 1997, with funding from Aberdeenshire Council, Grampian Enterprise, and Scottish National Heritage.

However, it closed its doors in April 2011, reported the Press and Journal, when the council withdrew funding after the centre failed to attract sufficient visitors. The site was put on the market in 2015 and remained up for sale until last year, when it was reported acquired by a "mystery buyer".

Now it is being marketed again.

Shepherd noted that the structure has been designed to meld into its rural setting so that the landscape rolls across it. The grass-covered roof rises like a conical hill similar to its surroundings. Pedestrian access to the site is via a pathway that enters a sheltered valley shape up the main entrance.

The building provides a predominately open plan area, which allows for circulation to all parts of the property.

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Shona Boyd at Shepherd said: “This unique space lends itself to a variety of commercial uses which can breathe new life into the building.

“The former Archaeolink structure provides a distinctive opportunity for an incoming occupier, and we would welcome enquiries of a range of natures, for the whole of the building or in part, as there is scope to sub-divide the building to form separate units.

“Potential uses include industrial and storage purposes, restaurant, coffee shop, events facility, soft play centre, gym, distillery, brewery, car storage and sales, wedding venue, church, alternative healthcare, music and dance studio, entertainment venue, all subject to gaining the appropriate planning consent.”

Shepherd is inviting offers over £150,000 are sought for the whole building.

Oldmeldrum and Inverurie lie to the east eight miles and 10 miles respectively with the site said to benefit from access to local and national infrastructure.