Lochaline affordable housing project moves to construction stage

MCDC will be building 14 two- and three-bedroom family homes. The site was cleared in Spring 2026, thanks to local contractors, and preliminary electrical diversion works were completed at the end of 2025.

Ground was broken on the site this month, with the main build project being delivered across the year and estimated to be completed in June 2027.  MCDC hopes to welcome the first tenants in the summer of 2027.

Angus Robertson, chair of MCDC, said: “We are keenly aware of how long affordable housing has been a top priority for the local community, as emphasised in Live Life Morvern and our Local Place Plan, and are delighted to be able to deliver these homes which will be available for affordable rent to people wanting to live and work in Morvern.

“This is a £4.6 million project, and we are grateful for the hard work of the Highland Council planning department and the support of a number of funders who are enabling the project to move forward.

“The Scottish Government is supporting the project with a significant grant from the Rural and Islands Housing Fund alongside financial support from The Highland Council. We are grateful to More Homes Division of the Scottish Government for their advice, support and guidance over the last year as we brought the project to application stage. 

“We’d also like to extend sincere thanks to The Coram Fund who supported us with a grant of £50,000 at a crucial time in the project allowing us the confidence to move forward.”

Annabel Bath, funds adviser to The Coram Fund, added: “The Coram Fund was set up to support rural and urban regeneration, with a particular interest in community ownership and the belief that good quality housing is key to a productive and happy life - and should be available to everyone. We were delighted to support this initiative to build family housing in Lochaline and hope that generations will benefit from having a secure and happy place to call home.”

The funding package was completed by a part grant, part loan from Social Investment Fund (SIF), £450,000 of MCDC’s own reserves generated by the Barr Hydro Scheme, a loan of a further £200,000 from MorVolts and a grant of £50,000 from HIE towards the design team pre-construction costs.

MCDC is now undertaking the construction phase alongside architects G+GA, QS Morham & Brotchie, and TSL Contractors, who MCDC have appointed to manage the construction phase of the project.

David Stewart, TSL pre-construction director, said: “TSL are delighted to have been awarded the contract for the construction of 14nr high quality, energy efficient homes, and look forward to working closely with MCDC in delivering this key project for the community.”