Highlands & Islands MSP Edward Mountain recently visited the site of a new flagship care home in Inverness, in which Parklands Care Homes has invested £11 million, at Milton of Leys on the outskirts of the Highland capital.

The construction project is being spearheaded by Capstone Construction, where the site team have now completed the installation of the bison concrete flooring beams. The next major milestone will see the erection of the steel frame in early June, with the timber frame to follow later that month. At its peak, the site will support 40 – 60 construction jobs.

The care home is expected to create around 120 full-time equivalent jobs upon its opening in April 2025. The new facility will feature 58 en-suite bedrooms, with many offering picturesque views of the Moray Firth. Additionally, it will house several day/dining rooms, quiet lounges, an activity room, a hairdresser, and a café. It will stand as the largest purpose-built home within the Parklands group, which presently operates 11 care homes across the Highlands and Moray. It will be the largest purpose-built home in the Parklands group, which currently has 11 care homes across the Highlands and Moray, and its biggest ever single investment.

The care home is the first phase of an ambitious multi-million-pound plan to create a new care community in the city, the first of its kind in the Highlands. Later phases will see the construction of a living village, comprising 11 two-bedroom bungalows, designed to enable older people to live independent lives within a care home setting, and new rental accommodation for Parklands’ care workers.

Rhona Donnelly commented: “Having previously delivered extensions to their care homes in Muir of Ord and Tain, we are delighted to be working with Parklands to deliver this new flagship care home for the city of Inverness. It is set in a stunning location where, upon completion, the new residents will be able to enjoy views across the Moray and Beauly Firths.

“Securing this prestigious contract will add to Capstone Construction’s expanding portfolio of projects in the Highlands and secure ongoing work for our existing workforce and supply chain.”