VILLAGERS SWOOP ON LAST HOME
Locals hold on to council house where Hamish Macbeth was set
RESIDENTS have saved the last available council house in the Hamish Macbeth village from becoming another holiday home.
Villagers in Plockton fought to prevent Highland Council from selling the three-bedroom home on the open market where prices have surged beyond the range of locals.
The house at 14 Harbour Street in the village, the setting for TV police series Hamish Macbeth starring Robert Carlyle, became vacant after the last tenant of more than 30 years moved into a care home.
Previously, 13 Harbour Street was sold for £380,000 and No16 went for £360,000 six years ago.
Plockton Community Council had warned half of the 80 homes in the centre were now either second homes or available for letting.
Following protests, Highland Council said it would not sell the property which has been refurbished and allocated to a teacher at Plockton High School.
That decision has delighted residents in the Wester Ross village.
Number 14, known as Dan’s house, has been renovated over the past year by Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association, acting as agents for Highland Council.
Peter MacKenzie, chairman of Plockton and District Community Council, said: “This shows the system working and we need to see more of it in Plockton.
“We have a big problem in the local hospitality sector where businesses can’t get staff because there is no affordable housing available for employees.”
Meanwhile, Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association said it was progressing with a pre-planning application for 12 affordable homes on part of the council-owned shinty pitch in the village.