Highland Rugby Club U/17s boys will play three matches against teams from Milan and Verona in October, with Robertson Homes’ donation topping off a year of fundraising by the club to finance the tour.

Established in 1922 and based at Canal Park, Highland Rugby Club is the largest rugby club in the Highlands of Scotland and in addition to its ‘minis and micros’ age groups, runs five age grade teams from U13 to U18, for more than 200 boys and girls.

Jo Barclay from Highland Rugby Club said: “We are so grateful to Robertson Homes for supporting this trip to Italy which will broaden the boys’ understanding of the world, help them build unforgettable memories on and off the pitch and develop the self-confidence and independence which will support them in the next phase of their lives.”

Robertson Homes is currently building 114 new homes at Torvean on Golf View Road in Inverness, less than two miles from Canal Park, and hopes many of its new younger residents will enjoy playing rugby at the club.

Jacqui McPherson, Robertson Homes sales manager, said: “Torvean is proving very popular with growing families which are looking for a new home close to the city centre but with easy access to the beautiful countryside found to the south west of the city.

“Highland Rugby Club is a vibrant and ambitious club for local children to enjoy all the benefits of playing sport and a place where younger people can make lifelong friendships.

“The club makes a very positive contribution to the wellbeing of the wider community which is why Robertson Homes is proud to support their upcoming tour and we hope many of our new residents at Torvean will take advantage of this amazing facility on their doorsteps.”

Torvean continues a number of highly successful Robertson Homes developments in the Westercraigs area of Inverness, including Great Glen Rise on Forester’s Way where the company has recently opened a new show home.