A refurbishment of the Telford Centre in Fort Augustus is due to start next week. The £1.1m project will see the upgrading of the residential accommodation and improved facilities for everyone who uses the centre.

The Telford Centre, which is also a base for day care services in the area is one of three care homes owned by The Highland Council to benefit from this phase of major refurbishments to meet National Care Standards, as well as fire safety and other improvements. The others homes receiving refurbishment in this phase are Lochbroom House in Ullapool, and An Acarsaid in Broadford.


Residents will temporarily be moved to alternative accommodation at Invernevis House in Fort William while work is underway. The day care service will move to the Church of Scotland hall in Fort Augustus on November 3 and will remain there until the refurbishment is complete. The main contact telephone number for the Telford Centre will remain (01320) 366511.

Chairman of the Housing and Social Work Committee, Councillor Margaret Davidson said: "We have now invested more than £3.5m in our rural care homes. This illustrates our commitment to providing the very best care in our residential homes for older people."

Residents and their families, together with staff, have been advised and consulted about the arrangements being put in place during the refurbishment.

Other homes upgraded in earlier phases of the programme were: Bayview House, Thurso; Melvich Community Care Unit; Seaforth House, Golspie; Dail Mhor, Strontian; Strathburn House, Gairloch; Pulteney House, Wick; and The Mackintosh Centre, Mallaig.

(GK/JM)