Braemar Community Ltd (BCL) has secured £120,000 in funding from the CAF Venturesome Community Led Housing Fund for the survey and design work on its plans for 15 new homes and one self-build plot in Braemar.

The new homes will be built on a derelict piece of land behind Kindrochit Court in the centre of Braemar, and alongside Tomrichton Woods.

BCL were recently awarded grant funding from Scottish Land Fund to purchase these woods and green space for the village as part of the place-making aspect of the project.

Simon Blackett, chair of BCL, said: “We are delighted that this project, which will offer much-needed affordable homes in the village, has received this financial support from such a prestigious organisation.”

The homes and surrounding landscaping will be designed with both the local and global climate firmly in mind.

Sam Foster, project development officer at Rural Housing Scotland, said: “As the coldest place in the UK and with runaway climate change affecting everyone, it is essential that these new homes are highly-insulated and very well-designed – both to protect occupants from fuel poverty and to minimise their greenhouse gas emissions.”