A trust which aims to bring a medieval building on Lewis back to life has said work could begin in the Spring.
St Columba's Church near Stornoway, once an important centre for the Clan Macleod, dates back to the 14th Century and is currently a bare shell.
The Uidh Church Trust aims to re-roof the building for community use.
Donald-John MacSween, chairman of the trust, said he was "cautiously optimistic" the project would receive lottery funding.
Donald-John MacSween, chairman of the trust, said he was "cautiously optimistic" the project would receive lottery funding.
The trust has already received a project development grant of £22,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
It hopes the fund will award it another £250,000.
Historic Scotland has also awarded the trust £162,000. The total project cost is £610,000.
Trust director Campbell McKenzie said: "Our main aim is to re-roof the church so that it can be used and the walls protected."
Mr McKenzie said the church could be used for concerts, weddings and funerals.
The group have also received financial backing from local council Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and the local enterprise company, HIE Innse Gall.
They hope to start on site in the next financial year.
The church lies on a narrow isthmus which links the Point district to the rest of the island.
Coastal erosion has pushed the shoreline nearer to the building over the centuries.
Sheet piling was placed near the site last year at a cost of £21,000 to protect the ancient building from further damage.
From: BBC NEWS
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