Hope remains alive for the £40m golf plan backed by Jack Nicklaus despite administrators being appointed to the developers.

The FM Group of companies have been taken into joint administration by Fraser Gray, Elizabeth Mackay and Anne O'Keefe, of international recovery specialist Zolfo Cooper on Wednesday.

Plans by the group included a hotel, 230 houses and the redevelopment of historic Ury House.

Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future (Acsef) said they are confident there would be no shortage of interest in the golf project.

Speaking to BBC Scotland Acsef development manager Rita Stephen said: "With Trump International Golf Links Scotland and Paul Lawrie's development at Blairs, coupled with all our other spectacular golf courses, Aberdeen City and Shire has become established as an attractive global golf tourism destination.


"Acsef is confident that the administrators will not be short of interest in the Ury site and proposed golf development following the disappointing news about FM Developments.

"Having attracted Jack Nicklaus, this attractive site is ideal for a major golf development and represents a compelling opportunity for another developer."

Joint administrator Fraser Gray told BBC Scotland: "This development has received strong support from local stakeholders and, with this in mind, we will be assessing the best way forward over the coming weeks."

The seven companies in the Edinburgh based FM Group who were taken into administration are FM Herald Building, FM Granton, FM Property and Leisure, FM Developments, FM Commercial, FM St Vincent St and FM Homes.

Fraser Gray and Elizabeth Mackay were also appointed joint administrators over FM City Quay Dundee, RPH Kennoway and RPH Libberton.

(GK/JM)