New homes and business units on the Island of Colonsay will be officially opened by Brian Wilson MP later this week (Wednesday 21st April).

The project has been funded by Communities Scotland, Argyll and the Islands Enterprise (AIE) and the West Highland Housing Association.  The development, which has cost in excess of £900,000, comprises two detached and two semi-detached houses and two business units. 

Colonsay is one of Argyll's most fragile islands and as a result has Iomarit aig an Oir (Initiative at the Edge) status.  This partnership development was considered vital in a bid to breathe new life into the Island's economy.

The new Dunoran Housing and Colonsay Business Units at Scalasaig will help meet local demand for affordable housing and suitable business premises.

The new homes - three 2-bedroom (four person) homes and one 4-bedroom (eight person) home - have been built to a high specification and incorporate features such as high levels of insulation and heating and hot water systems which combine solar panels with multifuel stoves and an electric backup.

Also, each of the two-bedroom houses has been built in a way that allows flexibility in the years and decades ahead.  The attic spaces of these houses can be converted relatively easily to accommodate additional bedrooms, should the circumstances of the residents dictate.

Two businesses have already moved into AIE's two workshops at Scalasaig.  Nigel J. Grant - who operates a joinery workshop - and House of Lochar, Scottish Publishers have both secured five-year leases on the properties.

AIE has contributed £340,000 towards the cost of the project, while Communities Scotland has invested £565,000 with £85,000 coming from the West Highland Housing Association.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday's official opening, Mr Wilson said: "I am delighted to have been asked back to Colonsay on the basis of my role in originating Iomairt aig an Oir, which was aimed at promoting a coherent response by Government agencies to the problems of peripheral communities in the Highlands and Islands.

"If people have access to land, housing and employment then the chances of them staying in places like Colonsay are greatly enhanced.  The more agencies can work together to produce these outcomes, the better.  I am extremely pleased that Colonsay - where housing for local people has long been a particular problem - has benefited from its status as an Iomairt aig an Oir pilot area."

West Highland Housing Association vice-chairman, Tony Cave said: "On behalf of the West Highland Housing Association, I would like to express our pride in having provided four new quality houses for the Isle of Colonsay.  Together with our partners in this project we hope that the result of our joint efforts will be an improvement in the housing and economic opportunities open to the residents of the island."

Ken Abernethy, chief executive of AIE said: "Colonsay is a priority for us because of its remoteness and the fragility of its economy.  Our investment in this development will help create new enterprises and secure employment for people and we are pleased to have been able to work with our housing association partners to realise this project."

Ewan Johnston, area director west for Communities Scotland said: "This development is helping to meet a pressing need for affordable rented homes and suitable business premises on Colonsay.  The new homes, which have been developed in consultation with the local community, incorporating high standards of insulation and many environmentally friendly features, ensuring that they are economical to heat and do not have an adverse effect on the island's fragile ecology. 

"The Scalasaig business units will make a valuable contribution to helping grow Colonsay's economy and contribute to the future of the island as a viable, living community.  The development is an excellent example of partnership working between Communities Scotland, West Highland Housing Association, AIE and the local community."