Historians will explore the legends of a tiny village that disappeared in a sandstorm 300 years ago - amid superstitious claims the disaster was punishment for whisky smuggling.
The history and folklore of Culbin in Moray is to be revisited during a new project led by Robert Gordon University and Moray Libraries.
Culbin disappeared in The Great Sand Drift of 1694 with many superstitions about why tragedy struck the coastal community.
Then natural disaster was linked to a divine intervention with some viewing the storm as a possible punishment for whisky smuggling or playing cards on a Sunday.
The uprooting of marram grass for thatching and the cutting of coastal turf for fuel in the 17th century caused the sands to start shifting.
The storm led to the village being overwhelmed and abandoned.
An exhibition on Culbin will open later this month at Elgin Library, with historians, storytellers and crafts to explore the village that was lost in the storm.
Philip Davidson, Interim Principle Librarian, said: "This project with Robert Gordon University is really exciting for local storytellers, historians and residents who live near the original site of Culbin village.
"The exhibition gives us a fantastic opportunity to explore life in Moray before 1694 as well as allowing the creative freedom to imagine who might have lived in Culbin, what life was like for them and where they went after the sand drift forced them out of their homes."
Research by Forestry Land Scotland earlier found Culbin was likely made up of five farms and 735 acres of cultivated land.
But the wider Kinnaird Estate, had a great house, a church, thousands of acres of land and orchards and up to 16 associated farms.
Legend claims the young Kinnaird laird was playing cards late on a Saturday night and insisted on playing past midnight, boasting he would play even if the Devil was one of his partners.
After a clap of thunder the Devil appeared, and the game went on so long Kinnaird failed to notice the sand engulfing the estate.
Some also believed the sandstorm was punishment for villagers hiding whisky smugglers in the dunes.
In the decades that followed the great drift, the sand kept shifting with remains of the original estate becoming exposed.
Professor Peter Reid, from The School of Creative and Cultural Business at RGU said: "It is fantastic to be working closely with Elgin Library to bring the fascinating story of the disappeared village of Culbin to life through this dynamic exhibition.
"Robert Gordon University is committed to preserving the distinct cultural heritage of the North east and to enhancing the visitor experience and tourism offerings in the region."
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