RAF Machrihanish buyout plan stalls
Plans for a community buyout of one of Scotland's largest Cold War sites have stalled.
A community business had hoped to buy the RAF Machrihanish site near Campbeltown, South Kintyre.
However, the Scottish government has rejected the result of a ballot in the area which appeared to show overwhelming support for the idea.
Organisers of the proposed buyout said they would need time to consider their next step.
The Ministry of Defence has said it is prepared to sell the 1,000 acre RAF site, including a 10,000 foot runway.
Since the military pulled out in the mid-90s, much of the site has been largely empty.
Those behind the community business plan had hoped the buyout would give them the opportunity to develop the site over time and create jobs.
The alternative is for the MoD to sell the land commercially on the open market.
The Machrihanish base was used to house one of only three US Navy Special Warfare teams in the world, as well as an American Seal commando unit and Royal Marines.
Highlands and Islands Airports leases part of the site for use as Campbeltown airport.