The cottage subsequently hosted seven Scottish authors as writers in residence, The Scotsman reports. 

Under new plans, the cottage is set to be renovated following three years of vacancy - and buildings constructed in the woodlands surrounding it to boost its literary offering.

The Brownsbank Trust, which manages the home, will be starting a crowdfunding campaign to raise close to £1 million to revamp the cottage and develop a centre which will bring back the writers-in-residence scheme, alongside a bothy for use by the local community together with a visitor centre.

Konishi Gaffney Architects has conducted a feasibility study for the creation of the Macdiarmid Centre and the restoration of the cottage. 

Until 2012, Brownsbank was home to writers in residence. The writers included The Testament of Gideon Mack author James Robertson. 

Denham Macdougall, a member of the board of the Brownbank Trust, said: “What we want to do is house writers in residence in the new development and have the cottage as a sort of museum and shrine to Macdiarmid that people can come to. 

“It’s a long project, and there is still a lot of fundraising to do.”

Macdougall added: “The renovation of the cottage and restoring what is in it will be about £400,000, and the development will be more.”

The plans would see the delivery of a visitor centre and a writer’s retreat, which would see an author based there for up to a couple of years. 

A separate bothy, where locals could visit to write, would also be delivered, alongside short-let accommodation to generate income, which will in turn go towards the site’s maintenance.