The Inverness-based firm revealed that prospective land deals are being examined in the Black Isle and Drumnadrochit, as well as a couple of sites in the Central Belt.

“Despite being about to begin on a combined £55 million investment in new developments at Aviemore and Forres, we are firmly in acquisition mode as far as land is concerned”, said chief executive George Fraser.

“We’re actively looking at potential sites as we seek to maintain what is already a strong forward land bank.

“All going well, it is hoped to conclude a minimum of one new deal in the autumn, and hopefully more than one by the turn of the year.”

He indicated that by the end of this year Tulloch Homes will have completed the first 100 homes of its £80m showpiece Ness Side development in Inverness, with a further 700 homes to be rolled out on this site.

Mr Fraser said: ”The pandemic was an incredibly challenging period for us last year, but we’ve bounced back strongly since construction activity returned to our sites.

“Pent-up demand has led to consistently high levels of house sales – and that is being primarily driven by new market dynamics.

“Lifestyle reassessment in the wake of Covid-19 is a major new factor, an opportunity we’re strongly placed to turn to our advantage. People want green space around or near them, leisure facilities and the technology for homeworking.

“We’re finding homebuyers from the Central Belt and England are relocating to Inverness and the Highlands for quality of life issues.”

Civil engineering works have begun at Bynack More, Tulloch’s first Aviemore site in 15 years, and work is beginning at Mosset Meadows, the firm’s first Forres venture in 20 years.