Alex Salmond makes Campbeltown property visits

Two property ventures have been formally opened by the First Minister.

Alex Salmond was accompanied by Scottish Government ministers on his visit to Campbeltown. Picture: Greg Macvean

Alex Salmond visited the commercial and housing developments in Campbeltown, Argyll, during a visit to the region by his team of key Scottish Government ministers.

The former Jaeger factory was transformed by MacLeod Construction into the new Mull of Kintyre Industrial Estate, which has been fully let to a range of local businesses.

Mr Salmond said: “The level of demand for, and range of businesses occupying, the new business units is very encouraging and a sure sign that Campbeltown is on the up.”

The Jaegar factory closed in 2001 with the loss of about 160 local jobs. The building was deemed unsuitable for alternative uses and was demolished.

The project was supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, which provided £96,743 to the builder.

Mr Salmond also opened an “affordable” housing development in the town.

The £5.2 million Park Terrace development of 32 homes for rent was funded by the Government, local council and community housing association.

The First Minister said the project shows the Government is “on track” to meet a pledge to deliver 30,000 affordable homes over the lifetime of the current parliament.

“Despite reductions to our capital budgets and the challenges facing housing associations, we’re committed to providing more affordable homes across Scotland, especially in rural areas such as Kintyre,” he said.

Mr Salmond and his ministerial team are in Campbeltown for a range of engagements and to hold a formal meeting cabinet meeting tomorrow.

The meetings are normally held in Mr Salmond’s official Edinburgh residence, Bute House.

Already this summer the cabinet has staged its discussions in Lerwick and Hawick, and next week they will meet in Fraserburgh.