Scaffolding is going up and work starts on Monday on 22-30 Main Street and 2-8 Longrow in the centre of town. In all six business premises and 13 flats above will benefit, including eight vacant flats which will be brought back into use.

Work will be extensive and will include replacing the main roof of the building, chimney and lead repairs, extensive stone repairs and replacing the rear amenity deck that is the cause of damp in some of the commercial units.

This is the fourth and biggest project of the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS), which has secured £10m for the regeneration of Campbeltown.

For this project property owners have contributed over £100,000, a Private Sector Housing Grant provides over £140,000, and over £380,000 comes from CARS funds.

“This investment is all about working in partnership with local people and businesses to provide the homes and work premises Campbeltown needs,” said Councillor Aileen Morton, policy lead for economic development.

“Work already carried out through the CARS programme and other investment schemes has transformed the town. This new work builds on regeneration that has seen the pontoons and harbour developed as tourism and business resources, the town hall and cinema revitalised as leisure and cultural facilities - these are optimistic times for Campbeltown.”

Property owners came together to form an Owners Association and, in line with conditions of CARS funding, will maintain the property following completion of the work.

Work is expected to last six months.