Ardroy House and Culcraggie House at the Teaninich Industrial Estate, Alness were purchased from the previous owner BT.

While the 9,367 sq ft Ardroy House is currently being converted to be let as part of the Ark Estates commercial property portfolio, the purchase of Culgraggie House is set to secure the future of popular local youth organisation, Fyrish Gymnastics Club.

Located moments from the A9 trunk road, Ardroy House is a modern single storey detached building of steel frame construction with predominantly block infills walls and a pitched profile metal clad roof. Ahead of letting, it is currently being upgraded by local firms Aardvark, ANM Electrical and IBI Joiners - including the fitting of solar panels.

Internally the property provides high quality industrial accommodation with minimum eaves height of 4m rising to 6.70m, vehicular access via electric roller shutter, 3 phase electricity supply and WC facilities. Externally the property benefits from an extensive yard with ample room for staff and customer car parking.

Fyrish Gymnastics Club, which has been a long-term tenant at Culgraggie House, recently launched a public campaign to save the organisation after the building was put up for sale by BT. However, subject to rubber stamping the lease offered by new owner, Ark Estates, Culgraggie House will continue as the home of the popular local gymnastics club.

Indeed, Ark Estates has helped to secure the future of the club by offering a heavily discounted lease agreement, formalising the reduced rent arrangement the club enjoyed with BT. Ahead of the new lease being signed, Ark Estates is carrying out upgrades to the building, including the fitting of solar energy panels.

Speaking after the purchase of the two buildings, Willie Gray, managing director of Ark Estates, said: “I’m delighted to have acquired these two prominent Alness commercial buildings. We are anticipating a high level of interest in Ardroy House and it’s a privilege to be able to secure the future of Fyrish Gymnastics Club at Culcraggie House.

“At Ark Estates we are passionate about making a positive social and environmental contribution to society and the communities we operate in and our Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) commitments are at the heart of everything we do. FGC, as the first club in the Scottish Highlands to open a dedicated gymnastics facility, provide a safe and friendly environment where they encourage children and adults to keep healthy and active through gymnastics. We are delighted to be able to help it continue to play its really important role in the local and wider Easter Ross community.”

As well as supporting a number of exceptionally worthy local causes - including the Bridge 2 Bridge and Maggie’s 500 Cycle which have raised over £1m for local charities to date, Ark Estates and MD, Gray, sponsor a number of sports clubs including Solas Race Team - Scotland’s first junior women’s cycling race team - Ross County Football Club and a host of other clubs and organisations making a huge difference to people across Scotland and the Highlands.

Speaking about his long-term support for Ross County Football Club, chief executive officer Steven Ferguson, said: “As a successful local businessman, Willie understands the landscape and challenges we face in the Highlands and his passion for the football club, its people, and our community has never wavered. RCFC are hugely grateful for the continued support we receive from Willie Gray and Ark Estates.”