Work begins on new community building at Culbokie Green
Work is starting on a new community building in Culbokie that will provide space for businesses, flexible working, meetings and health and wellbeing services.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is investing up to £166,785 in the project, which is being led by Culbokie Community Trust (CCT).
The new multi-purpose building, called The Space, will form part of a community hub at Culbokie Green in the heart of the Black Isle village.
It will include private business space, hot desks, a meeting room with video-conferencing facilities and two treatment rooms. These could accommodate services such as osteopathy, physiotherapy, acupuncture and reiki.
The development aims to make it easier for people to work, meet and access services locally, while providing new opportunities for businesses and practitioners.
Construction will begin on 9 November 2026 and is being carried out by IBI Joiners Ltd. Work is expected to be completed in June 2027.
Culbokie has grown significantly in recent years, increasing demand for local facilities and services. CCT has been developing community-owned spaces in the village to provide opportunities for recreation, education, community activities, local services and flexible working.
The first phase of the Culbokie Green project was completed in 2022. It included wildflower meadows, native trees, a community orchard and natural play areas. Public toilets, a volunteer base and an electric vehicle charging point have since been added.
The Trust is now seeking funding for the next phase of its plans, which includes a community café.
The Space is being funded by the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF), HIE and CCT’s own funds. Income generated by the building will help meet the ongoing costs of maintaining the community facilities at Culbokie Green.
Senior development manager at HIE, Gabbi Armstrong, said:
“It’s great to see the next phase of Culbokie Green taking shape. The Trust has worked hard to create a community-owned space that responds to local needs and creates new opportunities for the village.
“The Space will bring new facilities for businesses, services and local people, making it easier to work, meet and access services within Culbokie. We’re very pleased to support the project.”
Paul Wadge, Chair of Culbokie Community Trust, said:
“Breaking ground on this project is an exciting moment for Culbokie. This building is the result of years of planning, consultation and fundraising, and reflects the community's ambition to create more opportunities to work, meet and access services locally.”
“We are grateful to everyone who has helped us reach this milestone and look forward to seeing the building take shape over the coming months.”
Photo caption - L-R: Andrea Johnson, Richard Fyfe, Alison Tanner, Alison Petch, Paul Cottis, Catherine Cottis, Birgit von Tiedemann, Gabbi Heaton-Armstrong, HIE, Lesley Murray, and Penny Edwards