Work has started on the first phase of a much-anticipated affordable housing development which is set to bring 51 quality new homes to the Highland capital by April next year.

Nestled in an idyllic Loch Ness location transformed by its developer, the £5.2 million Ness Castle development is being delivered on behalf of Albyn Housing Society and the Highland Council by housebuilder Barratt Homes.

Complete with Highland landscaping features, such as drystone walls and woodland landscaping, it will provide a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes for rent, mid-market rent and sale under Albyn Enterprise’s low-cost home ownership scheme (LIFT).

Speaking of the development, Calum Macaulay, chief executive at Albyn Housing Society, said: “At a time of heavily reduced funding for affordable housing developments, it’s fantastic to be able to mark the start of construction at Ness Castle today.

“Given the huge demand for homes in the capital, and the high profile of the site, we want to create a stand-out development that fits in with its iconic setting. The result will be an attractive modern environment residents can be extremely proud of.”

Scott Pettitt, development manager at Barratt North Scotland, said: “We are very pleased to have developed such a positive partnership with Albyn Housing Society and to continue our support for the communities in which we build.

“The new properties help to increase the number of low cost homes in the Highlands, and we very much look forward to playing our part in realising this goal in collaboration with our RSL partners in other areas of the North of Scotland, too.”

To support construction costs, Albyn Housing Society was able to secure over £2m in funding from the Scottish Government.