DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER UNVEILS NEW KILBEG HOUSING
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes MSP officially opened the second phase of the Kilbeg housing development, a total of 17 new affordable homes in South Skye, on Friday [20 September].
The Kilbeg development, the first new architecturally planned village in the Isle of Skye for over 100 years, is a creative partnership between Sabhal Mor Ostaig, as the lead and facilitating partner, Communities Housing Trust, The Highland Council and Skye-based construction company James MacQueen Building Contractors Ltd.
This second phase of the Kilbeg Development includes 6 homes for social rent with The Highland Council, and 11 affordable homes and self-build plots with the Communities Housing Trust. The homes are a mix of discounted rent and sale, and include family homes, level-access and wheelchair accessible homes, and they were supported with significant Scottish Government affordable housing grant funding.
Kilbeg/A’ Chill Bheag now comprises 19 affordable housing units adjacent to the Sabhal Mòr Ostaig National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture campus, and work on a further 12 housing units is due to commence in early 2025, which will include infrastructure that will allow a further nine houses to be built in future.
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig Director of Development Dr Donnie Munro paid tribute to this delivery partnership, commenting:
“Kilbeg is seen by many as a clear manifestation of Sabhal Mor Ostaig’s wider aims and mission for the socio-economic regeneration and revitalisation of the Gaelic language, culture and community, which has been the guiding principle of this innovative National Centre since its founding in 1973.
“This development aims to place the Gaelic language and culture at its heart, and it is a perfect example of what can be achieved by developing key strategic delivery partnerships involving the public and private sectors, housing trust and landowner, all working together in the common interest.
“Kilbeg has planning approval for the construction of up to 100 new homes, along with other facilities to benefit the local area.”
Minister for Housing Paul McLennan MSP said:
“I am delighted this housing development has been completed and congratulate all partners involved with the delivery of these homes.
“Supported by over £1.2 million from the Scottish Government’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme, which included our demand-led Rural and Islands Housing Fund, the development provides a real mix of high quality, affordable homes.
“We are investing more than half a billion pounds in affordable homes across Scotland this year as we continue to support the delivery of housing.”
Kirsty MacKinnon, Managing Director of key delivery partner, Skye-based construction company, James MacQueen Building Contractors Ltd., said today,
“We feel privileged to be part of such a meaningful partnership and be on the right side of history. Sustainable and sympathetic architectural design, through our partner architects Rural Design, means that the heart and revitalisation of Kilbeg will be felt by all, promoting the sense of community and culture in which local stakeholders have invested.
“Congratulations to all involved on delivering much needed housing for the community. We wish the residents of Kilbeg many happy years in their new homes.”
