Tulloch Homes has reported that sales for the past eight weeks are now 28% up on the same time last year.

The company said developments at Wester Inshes in Inverness, Muir of Ord and Conon Bridge are on the verge of being sold out and it also hopes to bring forward three new projects.

“We feel there is a responsibility on us, in the circumstances of the pandemic, to provide work and retain jobs”, said chief executive George Fraser.

“Therefore, it is good for the community for us to have taken all our people now off furlough and being able to generate work again for our sub-contractors and supply chain in Inverness and Easter Ross.

“Our initial sales rush, after our sales offices had been shut for so long, was a boost but it is even more encouraging that the rate of new sales is actually increasing.”

Mr Fraser added: “Strong demand is certainly there, with homebuyers in the post-lockdown era seeking extra office space to do their jobs along with a nice garden. Our enquiry rates are showing is evidence that more people want to come and live and work in the Inverness area, which is good news for the city going forward.

“We’re also keen to play our part in supplying much-needed affordable housing.”

He praised Tulloch Homes’ workers for adapting extremely well to the new ways of working and our range of anti-virus procedures on the company’s sites, including staggered shift patterns and enhanced hygiene regimes.

In-depth inductions and regular briefings have helped the workforce to be fully aware of, and comfortable with, the changes in their working environment.

“Some of these measures will become the norm. Improved dialogue between trades on-site has brought ideas-sharing”, explained Mr Fraser. “This protects health and safety and we’re proud of the way our teams have adapted.”

The chief executive revealed that, having concluded the sale of sites at Milton of Leys to Parklands for a care home and ‘longer living’ housing, the final part of the community’s neighbourhood hub will be the transfer of land to Highland Council to allow Milton of Leys Primary School to be extended.

Mr Fraser disclosed that the land transfer deal has been completed and only now awaits the legal documents being finalised.