Known locally as The Wilkie Houses, the assets at Townhead in Rothesay were previously owned by the James John Wilkie Almhouses Trust.

The Wilkie Houses were originally constructed in 1929 by James John Wilkie, an engineer who lived in Victoria Street, Rothesay before moving to Liverpool and eventually becoming a Marine Superintendent. He established a trust fund of £20,000 to build houses for widows and spinsters native of Rothesay to live rent-free. Latterly the properties have been traditionally let to amenity aged tenants. The one-bedroom flats have been historically and very effectively managed by The Wilkie Trust since it was founded.

Changing times and stock condition requirements led the Trust and Fyne Homes Management Committee to agree to transfer the housing stock to ownership of the social landlord, where appropriate funding could be sought for upgrades and repairs. Fyne Homes will undertake a significant refurbishment programme in the months to come, to bring this well-known development up to a high standard and condition.

Trustee Gordon Sutherland said: “The Trustees of the Wilkie Houses are delighted that Fyne Homes have agreed to take over these eight properties. As a Charitable Trust, we were very conscious of the fact that we did not possess sufficient funds to maintain and improve the properties to a standard suitable for our tenants.

“We are very confident that this transfer of all our assets is the best possible course of action for those tenants requiring high quality social housing on Bute. Our good wishes go to all our tenants past and present, and to all at Fyne Homes Housing Association.”

Once refurbished The Wilkie Houses will be allocated in line with Fyne Homes’ common allocations policy as amenity stock, thus staying close to the original remit of the Trusts allocations criteria.

Fyne Homes chair, Shirley Macleod, said: “I am delighted that Fyne Homes can accept transfer of these eight properties. During this process, we have seen first-hand the hard work and commitment the Trustees have invested over the many years as custodians of these much-loved homes. I believe this is a good move for the Trust, and for Fyne Homes and most importantly the tenants.”

Fyne Homes committee and staff look forward to welcoming our new tenants and to maintaining the high standard the Trustees have embedded in the management of these homes.