The Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust, the community charity that owns most of the island, says the two new semi-detached properties will help address a severe shortage of available housing on the iconic community-controlled estate.

These will be the first brand new houses built by the Trust, which has owned the island since 1997.

Eigg development trust manager, Rebecca Long, said: “Our population here on Eigg continues to grow and we are in desperate need of good quality modern housing to support our community and ensure we have enough people to staff local businesses and services.

“This new development will provide two brand new two-bedroom houses, built to the latest specification on insulation and energy, and powered by Eigg’s own renewable energy grid. We are really pleased to be working with a fantastic team, comprised of Wittets Architects, Morham & Brotchie, Fiona Begg – as project manager and Spey Building & Joinery Ltd on this project and hope the houses will be ready to move into late next year.

“The Trust also owns a number of older houses and farmhouses on the island and has been working with tenants to improve and upgrade these older properties over the last two years.”

The two houses for rent are being built next to the island’s Medical Practice on land bought from NHS Highland. 

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) funded the purchase of the site and supported the development manager role throughout the project development period.

Stuart Black, chief executive of HIE, said: “This is great to see. Our rural and island communities are keen to grow but many are struggling with insufficient housing to meet demand.  The Isle of Eigg is an excellent example of how housing, amongst other things, can be used to support population growth given their 70% increase in population since the island’s buyout in 1997.”

The Trust has now appointed Kingussie-based Spey Building and Joinery to build the two properties.

Angus Reid-Evans of Spey Building and Joinery said: “We haven’t worked on Eigg before so we are looking forward to getting to know the community there. We have however worked on other islands, having recently completed the visitor hub on Canna, so we understand the challenges of working in an island location. We know how critical housing is to island communities so are pleased to be part of this exciting project.”

The project has been developed over a number of years with the Trust working closely with the Scottish Government’s More Homes Team based in Inverness.

Housing minister Paul McLennan said: “From my meetings with residents in Eigg I’ve heard how accessing suitable housing on the island can be challenging. Providing more good quality, affordable housing is key to encouraging people to remain, or settle, in rural and island places and a small number of homes can make a big difference. I am delighted that with the support of the Scottish Government Rural and Islands Housing Fund the Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust will now deliver two high quality, energy efficient homes.

“We’re also investing in rural and island areas through our Affordable Housing Supply Programme, as well as demand-led funds tailored to the needs of rural communities. Since 2016-2017 we’ve supported the delivery of more than 10,000 affordable homes in rural and island areas, while our Rural and Islands Housing Action Plan is set to deliver 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, with at least 10% in rural and island areas.”