AN Australian family who have been battling to stay in Scotland after UK visa regulations changed have been dealt another cruel blow as a second job offer was mysteriously withdrawn a week before their extended grace period expires.

And Gregg Brain told The National yesterday: “We are now looking for the proverbial miracle.”

He and wife Kathryn have been living in Dingwall with their seven-year-old son Lachlan for nearly five years, after they sold their house in Australia and moved to Scotland on the strength of Kathryn’s student visa.

They had planned to move on to a post-study work visa when Kathryn finished her studies, but new rules scrapping the scheme were announced shortly before they arrived, and came into effect the following year.

Kathryn and Gregg then set about trying to find jobs that would enable them to apply for a Tier 2 visa, but the Home Office refused to allow them the right to work.

A firm that had offered her a job in April was forced to pull out of the process, but the family’s hopes rose again last month when farmer and helicopter pilot John Mckenzie was spearheading a crowdfunding bid for the community-owned GlenWyvis Distillery in Dingwall.

However, it emerged over the weekend that Kathryn has not been offered the job.

Mckenzie told The National yesterday: “You will be aware that a successful two-month extension was granted to the Brain family’s visa on May 31… the third extension.

“The right to work was not restored by the immigration minister however, and the original GlenWyvis post was filled in May. That job was also not Tier 2 compliant.”

Mckenzie said that at the start of June there were two jobs and Kathryn had formally applied – and been considered – for the second post.

“Indeed GlenWyvis spent a huge amount of time considering a genuine sponsor application process”, he said.

McKenzie previously told The National on June 6 that Kathryn was ideal for the job.

He said then: “There’s no one else with a degree in Scottish history and archaeology in Dingwall. I have the site for the [visitor] centre and I’ve designed it, and depending on how much we raise, we can buy it now. But I want to set Kathryn to task on that. We thought she would be allowed to start work straight away, but this is such a bizarre situation where they’re not allowed to earn.

“The result of discussions I’ve had with the experts is that we will sponsor her as GlenWyvis history curator and community share offer senior administrator. We’re going to continue with the sponsorship and we think the visa could be turned round quite quickly.”

A May 25 post on the distillery’s Facebook page, featuring a picture of the family, read: “Some of you may have heard about the plight of the Brain family. We are delighted to announce Kathryn is joining the GlenWyvis team immediately (subject to Home Secretary approval!).

On May 31, another post read: “You may have heard of the situation that has emerged regarding Kathryn and Gregg Brain being refused reinstatement of their permits to work. Kathryn is needed to assist the GlenWyvis project NOW – she has a degree in Scottish history and archaeology. By holding back Kathryn’s ability to work a project designed to empower a community is being held back.”

Ian Blackford, the family’s local MP, appealed for local businesses to come forward if they could help.

He said: “The Brain family are not asking for special treatment and have only ever expected the UK Government to honour the promises made to them when they were first granted visas to live and work in Scotland in 2010 – and now they desperately need the help of local businesses who may be able to provide them a lifeline.

“The deadline set by the Home Office is looming and I would encourage businesses across the Highlands to get in touch with my constituency office if they might be able to help.”