A small community has come together to stop the elderly residents of a care home from being moved out - by buying the building.

People living in Killin, in Stirlingshire, started their campaign to take over the Falls of Dochart Residential Home when they learned it could be sold and turned into a hotel.

This would have forced the relocation of those living in the facility, which can house up to 12 people.

Most of the people in the home are locals who have lived here all their lives

John MacPherson Killin Care Trust

Killin Care Trust chairman John MacPherson said it had been "hair-raising" to be faced with the task of raising about �200,000 to buy the home.

But he told BBC News Online Scotland: "It was all worthwhile at the end of the day."

The trust was set up about a year ago after Killin Community Council learned that the home, which has been operating for seven years, was to be sold.

Mr MacPherson explained that the nearest similar facility was about 25 miles away.

"Most of the people in the home are locals who have lived here all their lives and it would mean moving them away," he explained.

Full-time employment

"Not only would that cause them hardship, but it would also cause hardship to their relatives going to visit them.

"We have very poor public transport in this area."

He said the home also provided full-time employment for 10 or 12 people in a community where much of the work is seasonal.

The Killin Care Trust attracted funding from a range of organisations, including the Scottish Land Fund, Rural Challenge Fund and Stirling Council.

Mr MacPherson, who also chairs the community council, said: "I felt the whole project was a very worthwhile undertaking.

Stirling Council provided assistance

"It has been a pleasure to work with a board of directors who are all unpaid volunteers, the majority living in the area, and who showed a genuine concern for the welfare of those in need of care in our midst.

"It is also encouraging to know that the vast majority of the community is supportive of the project, which is evident by their tangible support."

He said that the project might not have got off the ground without the help and expertise of bodies like the Small Town and Rural Development Group, Stirling Council and the Care Commission.

He also expressed gratitude to the home's previous owner Hilary Martin, who continued to run the business until the community could complete the purchase.

The board of directors took over the home this week.