The site was named after Dr Alexander MacLeod who spent over 70 years caring for people on North Uist and delivered the majority of babies on the island. He set up his practice in 1932 and visited most of his patients on foot and on horseback. The community chose to honour him by naming the new housing development after him. 

This was a joint project with TIG enabling 12 homes to be built, eight for rent and four for rent to buy. Macinnes Bros Ltd, a Uist-based company constructed these high-quality homes with the majority of funding coming from the Scottish Government.

The Comhairle provided a grant of £130,000 from the ACTISH fund and the remainder was borrowed by HHP and TIG. As part of community benefit, MacInnes Bros provided £2,000 to the North Uist U12s girls Athletics team to participate in the National Finals in Glasgow in 2023.  

At the opening, Rev Alen McCulloch, a friend of the family of the late Doctor Macleod wrote a blessing specifically to mark the occasion which he shared prior to teas and coffees at Hamersay House.  

Dena MacLeod, chief executive, said: “It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the opening of Ionad Dotair MacLeóid. A lot of years have passed since Uisdean Robertson asked me to meet with Macinnes Brothers who had a vision for transforming this site to provide new homes. Many conversations, hard work, determination and passion particularly on the part of Macinnes Brothers have made that vision a reality.  

“These new homes would not have been possible without the support of the Scottish Government to both TIG and HHP for which we are grateful. To everyone who was involved in building the homes, to our clerk of works and our development teams a big thank you, for the lovely homes which I understand the residents are really happy in and I hope it will remain that way for many years to come.”  

New tenant, Lachina MacVicar is delighted with her property, she said: “For me, the garden is the main thing, it’s great. The house works well and is laid out just the way I need it. The neighbours are nice and there is already a sense of community.” 

Chief executive (TIG), Donna Smith, commented: “The project is a great example of what can be achieved in partnership with other organisations and how taking a different approach can bring many benefits not just to the tenants but the community as well. Working together has increased the number of homes from 8 to 12 which offers more housing options to those in need of Housing in North Uist, providing a choice between renting or purchasing a home.

“The four rent to buy houses are the first Low-Cost Home Ownership properties to be built in Uist and we are extremely pleased with the high quality finish of the homes. I  would also like to add my thanks to all those who were involved in the project and the  funders who bought into what we wanted to achieve.” 

Housing minister, Paul McLennan, said: “Good quality housing is essential to attract and retain people in our rural communities. Supported by over £1.5 million from the Scottish Government’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme, these homes will have such a positive impact on the community, supporting local business and providing affordable homes to families. 

“We will continue to focus on boosting affordable housing supply, investing over £600m this financial year, to deliver more high quality, permanent homes, in the right place for everyone. Working with partners, such as Hebridean Housing Partnership  and Tighean Innse Gall, demand-led funds such as the £30m Rural and Island Housing Fund can help address specific rural housing need.” 

Uisdean Robertson, local councillor, commented: “Delighted to be present today at the official opening of this much needed housing development in North Uist. We are aware of the need for housing provision in rural areas of the Western Isles and I hope in the not too distant future we will see other developments like this in this area. Thanks to all those who were involved in bringing this development to fruition.”