Homes in the village have recently had external wall insulation as part of ACHA’s ongoing energy efficiency programme. While there he visited Lorraine Anne Drysdale an Association tenant who for a number of years had been secretary of ACHA’s board of management before her retirement.

Mr MacGregor said: “In my last day in working for the community-based housing sector for 37 years it was a pleasure to be out looking at what we are doing on the ground and meeting our tenants. It was a real pleasure to bump into Lorraine.

“Voluntary board members like Lorraine who give of their time for free have been the lifeblood of the community-based housing association movement for the last 50 years and deserve every credit for being at the heart of community ownership and regeneration.”

He added: “There are so many beautiful places in Argyll it would be hard to name them all but looking out from Appin over Lismore, and on towards Mull and Lochaline, you can see why Argyll is the great enduring heartland.”