There are now two rival plans for a golf course at Beaufort Castle

The Aird communities plan to try to use the Land Reform Act to take control of Beauford Castle and its estate.

They said the castle should not become a "closed" and "privileged" place.

A consortium, which includes Mrs Gloag, withdrew a planning application for a luxury golf complex, lodges and a hotel on the estate on Monday.

Kiltarlity, Kilmorack and Beauly, known as the Aird, have backing from former estate owner Lord Lovat for their rival plans.

A community-run golf course is one of several ideas if a buy-out was successful.

Christy Surtees, spokeswoman for the buy-out bid, said: "We have to think ahead what would be a benefit to the community.

What we don't want to happen is for it to become a very closed, privileged area that only very few people are able to enjoy Christy Surtees

"There are other ideas such as a local history or wildlife centre or something along that lines."

Mrs Surtees said people could be encouraged to walk or cycle through the estate, which covers about 1,000 acres.

She added: "There are a lot of ideas of what people would like to see happen with the estate, but what we don't want to happen is for it to become a very closed, privileged area that only very few people are able to enjoy."

Lord Lovat, stockbroker Simon Fraser, supports the community bid.

Beaufort Castle was his clan's seat for several generations but he was forced to sell it to pay off family debts.

'Economic driver'

Meanwhile, the consortium behind major plans to create a golf complex on part of the estate intend to make a fresh bid.

Mrs Gloag and Highland construction company, Tulloch, withdrew a planning application on Monday after councillors arrived at Beaufort to hold a site visit.

Tulloch chairman David Sutherland said: "The planning application from Beaufort Golf and Leisure Club has been withdrawn as vital information we were entitled to see was not made available to us by council officers.