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Inverness’s new £11m care home, Pittyvaich in Milton of Leys, opens its doors for a sneak peak before welcoming first Highland residents





Parklands Care Homes prepare to open their newest home, Pittyvaich, in Milton of Leys, Inverness. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Parklands Care Homes prepare to open their newest home, Pittyvaich, in Milton of Leys, Inverness. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.

The imminent opening of an £11m care home in Inverness marks a “major milestone” for the care sector in the Highlands.

Those were the words of Parklands Care Homes’ managing director Ron Taylor as he welcomed dignitaries and other guests to the new 58-bed Pittyvaich Care Home in Milton of Leys.

The state-of-the-art facility, which is expected to create around 120 jobs, is expected to welcome its first residents on Monday and will throw its doors open to the community for a sneak peak tomorrow (Saturday).

Parklands Care Homes prepare to open their newest home, Pittyvaich, in Milton of Leys, Inverness. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Parklands Care Homes prepare to open their newest home, Pittyvaich, in Milton of Leys, Inverness. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.

But ahead of that, Mr Taylor invited dignitaries and members of the press to a special tour on Friday to showcase the facility ahead of its launch.

Mr Taylor said: “Pttyvaich is more than just a care home - it’s a symbol of our long-term commitment to the Highlands.

“At a time when the region has lost over 200 care beds, this investment is more urgent than ever.

Ron Taylor speaks to guests. Parklands Care Homes prepare to open their newest home, Pittyvaich, in Milton of Leys, Inverness. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Ron Taylor speaks to guests. Parklands Care Homes prepare to open their newest home, Pittyvaich, in Milton of Leys, Inverness. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.

“We’re responding to that need by investing in the future of care - creating jobs, supporting families, and building something that will serve this community for years to come.

“This is just the first step in our ambitious vision for a new care community in Inverness - a place where older people can live with dignity, independence and support, and where key workers have access to affordable accommodation.”

He added: “We’re looking forward to working with out new team to bring the Parklands standard of care to Inverness - compassionate, person-centred and rooted in the local community.”

A self-playing Piano in the welcome area. Parklands Care Homes prepare to open their newest home, Pittyvaich, in Milton of Leys, Inverness. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
A self-playing Piano in the welcome area. Parklands Care Homes prepare to open their newest home, Pittyvaich, in Milton of Leys, Inverness. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.

The imminent opening of Pittyvaich comes amid a wider roll-out of additional beds by Parklands Care Homes. It has already announced expansion plans for its care homes in Tain, Fortrose and Grantown-on-Spey, which are set to receive 12, four and 10 new beds respectively.

Those expansions, which are part of a £4.5 million investment, are still subject to planning consent, but would deliver another 26 beds in the coming year - bringing the total number of new Parklands beds in the Highlands to 84.

Mr Taylor added that Pittyvaich also marks the “first stage” in Parklands’ plans to “develop an integrated care community in Inverness”.

The welcome area at the front door. Parklands Care Homes prepare to open their newest home, Pittyvaich, in Milton of Leys, Inverness. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
The welcome area at the front door. Parklands Care Homes prepare to open their newest home, Pittyvaich, in Milton of Leys, Inverness. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.

He said this would be the first of its kind in the Highlands, and that future phases would include a ‘later living’ village, which would be designed to support independent living for older people, as well as key worker apartments which would be built to halp ease pressure on local housing while also supporting staff recruitment.

During the even on Friday, he added that the care home’s location close to the Milton of Leys Primary School and nursery also meant that Pittyvaich could create strong intergenerational links with the pupils and wider community too.

A quiet space - with impressive views. Parklands Care Homes prepare to open their newest home, Pittyvaich, in Milton of Leys, Inverness. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
A quiet space - with impressive views. Parklands Care Homes prepare to open their newest home, Pittyvaich, in Milton of Leys, Inverness. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.

Among the dignitaries in attendance on Friday was Highlands and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant. She said: ”We know that social care provision in the Highlands is under real pressure, with demand growing as our population ages.

“That’s why investment in new care homes like Pittyvaich in Inverness - and the planned expansions in Tain, Fortrose and Grantown - is so important.

“These developments will help address a pressing need for high-quality care in our communities, and I welcome the contribution they will make to supporting older people and their families across the region”.

Pittyvaich takes its name from the Speyside distillery in Dufftown once managed by Mr Taylor’s grandfather, Andrew. As a student, Ron cared for his grandfather, an experience that he says inspired him to set up Parklands in 1993. The family connection continues with Ishbel Place, the street leading into Pittyvaich, named after Ron’s mother.

The home is situated in Milton of Leys - overlooking the city.Parklands Care Homes prepare to open their newest home, Pittyvaich, in Milton of Leys, Inverness. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
The home is situated in Milton of Leys - overlooking the city.Parklands Care Homes prepare to open their newest home, Pittyvaich, in Milton of Leys, Inverness. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Is this the best view from a care home? Parklands Care Homes prepare to open their newest home, Pittyvaich, in Milton of Leys, Inverness. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Is this the best view from a care home? Parklands Care Homes prepare to open their newest home, Pittyvaich, in Milton of Leys, Inverness. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
The welcome space as you arrive. Parklands Care Homes prepare to open their newest home, Pittyvaich, in Milton of Leys, Inverness. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
The welcome space as you arrive. Parklands Care Homes prepare to open their newest home, Pittyvaich, in Milton of Leys, Inverness. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Care Home manager Jaime McNab.Parklands Care Homes prepare to open their newest home, Pittyvaich, in Milton of Leys, Inverness. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Care Home manager Jaime McNab.Parklands Care Homes prepare to open their newest home, Pittyvaich, in Milton of Leys, Inverness. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Living room space.Parklands Care Homes prepare to open their newest home, Pittyvaich, in Milton of Leys, Inverness. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Living room space.Parklands Care Homes prepare to open their newest home, Pittyvaich, in Milton of Leys, Inverness. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
One of the bedrooms. Parklands Care Homes prepare to open their newest home, Pittyvaich, in Milton of Leys, Inverness. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
One of the bedrooms. Parklands Care Homes prepare to open their newest home, Pittyvaich, in Milton of Leys, Inverness. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
The welcome space as you arrive. Parklands Care Homes prepare to open their newest home, Pittyvaich, in Milton of Leys, Inverness. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
The welcome space as you arrive. Parklands Care Homes prepare to open their newest home, Pittyvaich, in Milton of Leys, Inverness. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Ron Taylor. Parklands Care Homes prepare to open their newest home, Pittyvaich, in Milton of Leys, Inverness. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Ron Taylor. Parklands Care Homes prepare to open their newest home, Pittyvaich, in Milton of Leys, Inverness. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.

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