In this remote rural community in Lochalsh, the new homes at Darach Court provide much needed accommodation for the families who have just moved in. Today’s celebration will mark the new tenants moving in.

The homes make a critical contribution to the sustainability of the local community. The new tenants work locally, and their children attend the local school. Some were brought up in the area, some lived in precarious private renting locally and others were overcrowded with growing families. There’s also an intergenerational aspect where the homes have helped support several generations of the same family.

Darach means ‘oak’ in Gaelic, and it is a fitting name for the determination and resilience needed to bring this project to fruition.

The housing need was identified some years ago. The perseverance of the local community organisations, together with LSHA as lead developer, the Highland Council as the strategic investment enabler, Scottish Government as grant funder, has finally resulted in tenants moving and enjoying their new homes.

The local construction team, James MacQueen Builders, together with the team of consultants, delivered this traditional build. Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association development manager, James Swinnerton, thanked them as great partners to work with after a challenging time to find the right team during tendering and procurement, given the distances and costs involved.

A gathering at the local community hall will see Kate Forbes, local MSP, with Ian Young, chair of Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association, lead the celebration to mark the opening of the new homes. Tenants have invited the guests to visit their new homes and hear about the life-changing impact. 

Fittingly, some oak saplings will be planted in Darroch Court, and local school children will show off their drawings of the homes and their area and join the celebration over lunch at the community hall.

Housing minister Paul McLennan MSP has sent a video message as he is unable to be present on Friday, wishing everyone well and expressing his delight at the completion of this important rural development.

He said: “Our rural communities play an essential role in our economy and the completion of these four new affordable homes will bring long-term benefits to the village. 

“Supported by a £0.732m grant from the Scottish Government, these homes are another example of the strong partnership between Highland Council, Scottish Government and the Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association. These latest homes add to those already built in Staffin, Sleat, Kilbeg, Dornie, Broadford and Kyleakin through the affordable housing supply programme.

“Working with our partners, we will continue to add to the 12,400 affordable homes already delivered in rural and island communities, between April 2016 and March 2024. We also remain focused on delivering 110,000 affordable homes across Scotland by 2032, with at least 70% for social rent and at least 10% in our rural and island communities.”

Kate Forbes, local MSP, said: “I am delighted to be able to attend the much-anticipated launch of the new housing development in Glenelg. I know it’s long awaited, and will be of huge value to this thriving community, who will significantly benefit from more affordable housing.”

Ian Young, chair of Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association, said: “I want to extend a sincere thanks to all our partners, and to our own team, who helped make these homes a reality over a long period of time. I especially want to welcome our new tenants and wish them well for their future. It’s great to be invited into their homes to hear for ourselves how proud they already are of where they now live.

“It’s testament to the determination and collaboration of the local community groups that we are here today, and I’m especially pleased that LSHA has been able to facilitate this development.”

The Highland Council’s Housing & Property chair, Cllr Glynis Campbell Sinclair, said: “Rural housing makes an important contribution to housing supply and The Highland Council’s priority to increase affordable and sustainable housing stock is a key part of our Highland Housing Challenge.

“Housing demand significantly outweighs current availability and building in rural areas is identified as particularly challenging and costly. A partnership approach to delivery is vitally important and this project is a key example of how collaborative working can integrate and empower communities to make positive changes. I wish the new tenants happiness in their new homes.”