University students are helping design a Disney-style space centre that aims to create a tourism boom for Kinross.
Architectural technology students at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) have been assigned the task of designing a venue for Aero Space Kinross.
The Aero Space Scientific Educational Trust hope the planned educational hub and visitor attraction, focusing on aviation and space flight, could attract more than 50,000 people a year.
Aero Space Kinross could include a fully-immersive 3D planetarium, a flight motion simulation, lecture theatre, an exhibition telling the story of flight, astronomy and space exploration, a showcase for aviation charities, plus a restaurant and coffee shop.
The 14 UHI students will work on the project throughout their academic year to help determine their final qualification in advanced architectural practice.
The students, based at Inverness College, were given an initial briefing at the Scottish Gliding Centre in September.
Chairman of the Aero Space Scientific Educational Trust Alisdair Stewart said: “Their first design ideas will be presented to the board of trustees by the end of the year.
“Following feedback, the students will subsequently refine the design into a formal planning submission.”
At Heriot Watt University, 18 students undertaking their third year of study in interior design are working up ideas about how the inside of the venue might be imagined.
The eight-week project requires the students to initially conduct a large scale spatial planning exercise, and then select a single ‘experience’ element on which to focus their design studies.
Mr Stewart added: “Both of these initiatives will produce eye catching visuals which will be of great assistance to our fundraising.”
The trust is currently eyeing up business plots at Kinross West, adjacent to the M90, as an ideal location for the centre.
The Trust, Dundee Business School, Abertay University and Perth College have conducted research and identified a target market that includes 2.75 million people living within one hour’s drive of Kinross.
Mr Stewart stated: “Because Perthshire, Fife, Edinburgh, and Stirling are already highly successful tourist destinations, Aero Space Kinross will be ideally positioned to add value to the visitor experience around those destinations.
“The Loch Leven area is growing in popularity as a destination in its own right, with visitors to the likes of the Loch Leven Heritage Trail, the Kinross golf courses, RSPB Loch Leven and Loch Leven’s Larder being key to its appeal.
“However, there are few indoor venues and Aero Space Kinross will offer an exciting and interesting all weather option.”