Albyn Housing Society has successfully completed renovating the Victorian former Drumnadrochit High School building to provide affordable homes for 13 families in the popular Highland village.

Representatives from Albyn, Highland Council, the Scottish Government and school staff including some who worked in the old school building, were treated to a tour of the new development yesterday, 26th April, before keys are handed over to the new tenants.  The Grade B listed building was originally built in 1877 and has been unused since pupils moved to a new purpose-built school in 2002.  Previous alterations and extensions have been stripped back to allow the building to be tastefully converted into six much-needed new affordable homes for rent. 

The Invergordon-based housing association has also built a further seven new homes in the school grounds.  There are now 13 two and three bedroom houses and bungalows ready to be lived in.

Calum Macaulay, Chief Executive of Albyn Housing, said: “This is an important project for a whole range of reasons.  Firstly it’s providing vital new affordable homes for rent in a community where they are desperately needed.  Secondly it’s further evidence of Albyn’s partnership with the Highland Council in utilising surplus Council Assets to provide opportunities for affordable housing and, not least, it fulfills our commitment to the Drumnadrochit community that we would provide housing for the village to be proud of which meets local needs and will be a community asset for decades to come.  

“What’s more, each house has been designed to meet our sustainability criteria and promote CO2 savings.  So, as well as careful choice of materials and high levels of insulation we have installed air source heat pumps which provide economical, low-carbon heating and ventilation systems.  Projects like this are vital to support the Highland construction industry at a time of significant slowdown and we’re pleased to have worked with our Contractor UBC on what’s been an interesting and challenging build.”

Albyn has worked in close partnership with award-winning Abriachan-based architect David Somerville, designing the new homes with various roof and wall finishes to contribute to environmental sustainability and a layout which ensures a close connection to the old high school building.  The final design integrates the contemporary new-build homes with the listed building into a highly desirable and welcoming courtyard with a strong sense of neighbourhood.

Amongst the visitors was Councillor Margaret Davidson, chairperson of the Housing and Social Work Ccommittee within the Highland Council and local elected member.  She has been keeping a close eye on the development and was very impressed with the final result.
Cllr Davidson said: “All the folks in Drumnadrochit are delighted to see the transformation of this much loved building into homes.  These energy efficient, attractive homes are a great asset for the village.”

This is the third of four former school sites which will be used for affordable housing under this school redevelopment programme.  Work is also underway to convert Bunoich School in Fort Augustus which is due to be completed in the coming months.

The project was supported by £1.1m Housing Association Grant provided by the Scottish Government towards the Government’s aim of delivering good-quality, sustainable and affordable housing.  However, the completion follows recent reports surrounding the reduction in funding for new affordable homes.  The Highland Council has revealed plans to counter shortfalls by providing an additional 2,000 homes by March 2011.