Nominee Summary
Communities Housing Trust (CHT) is a registered charity and social enterprise focused on building sustainable rural communities across central and northern Scotland. Founded in 1998 as the Highlands Small Communities Housing Trust, CHT has earned a reputation for providing essential affordable housing and accompanying amenities such as services and schools, which are all key to the sustainable social and economic wealth and wellbeing of our communities. CHT is the leading organisation for facilitating community-led housing in Scotland. Taking a holistic and creative approach that looks beyond just housing, CHT works cooperatively with a range of stakeholders to actively tackle repopulation.
Building quality
The Kilbeg - Sabhal Mòr Ostaig development on the Isle of Skye, built by James MacQueen Builders Ltd. has been designed to meet high environmental and accessibility standards, ensuring long-term sustainability and suitability for the community’s diverse needs. All properties are constructed in line with Scottish Building Standards, with particular attention to quality, energy efficiency, and inclusivity. The homes are timber-framed, with external finishes of off-white wet dash render and features such as larch cladding or black brickwork, allowing the buildings to blend with the natural surroundings. Roofing materials include slate or sinusoidal metal, designed for durability in Skye’s coastal climate. Windows and doors are high-performance, double-glazed units meeting the “Secured by Design” standards to enhance security. A key feature of these homes is their energy efficiency. Heating is provided through air source heat pumps with air-to-air systems, supported by towel rails and panel heaters in key areas. Hot water is delivered by an unvented cylinder system, while a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) system ensures fresh, filtered air circulates throughout the homes, maintaining indoor air quality and reducing heat loss. The high level of air-tightness complements these systems, cutting down on energy use and costs for residents. Accessibility is also built into the design, with two fully wheelchair-accessible homes featuring specialist kitchens and shower rooms, as well as barrier-free layouts for residents with mobility needs. Collectively, these building standards ensure that Kilbeg’s homes are energy-efficient, secure, and inclusive, contributing to both environmental responsibility and long-term community resilience.
Ethical/environmental standards
The Kilbeg - Sabhal Mòr Ostaig development on the Isle of Skye sets a benchmark for ethical and environmentally responsible rural development, combining sustainable housing with cultural regeneration. Led by Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture, in partnership with Highland Council and Communities Housing Trust (CHT), Kilbeg is the first new village development on Skye in over a century. Its primary focus is to provide affordable, high-quality homes for the local community, with discounted ownership secured in perpetuity through the Rural Housing Burden. Homes include two fully accessible properties designed to meet the needs of older residents and those with disabilities, supporting intergenerational living, tackling social isolation. Environmental sustainability is embedded in the project. The homes feature air source heat pumps, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR), high insulation standards, and energy-efficient design. Future phases could incorporate renewable energy, rainwater harvesting, extensive pedestrian and cycle paths, while preserving the surrounding landscape. Culturally, the development strengthens Skye’s Gaelic heritage. Its close proximity to Sabhal Mòr Ostaig ensure that Gaelic speakers, learners and non-Gaelic speakers alike are welcomed, helping foster a vibrant community. This linguistic emphasis supports the transmission of Gaelic between generations while making the area attractive to new residents with cultural interests. Economically, Kilbeg supports local employment and enterprise development, creating new jobs and providing essential community facilities such as childcare, a medical centre, and a community shop. Overall, Kilbeg offers a rare model of ethical rural regeneration, rooted in sustainability, culture, affordability, and community.
Community impact
The development represents a transformative step for the Sleat peninsula and wider Isle of Skye, delivering a long-term positive impact on the local community. As the first new village on Skye in over 100 years, Kilbeg addresses critical issues of depopulation, housing shortages, and economic sustainability. One of its key impacts is in housing accessibility. Through a combination of social rented homes, discounted sale properties, and self-build plots, Kilbeg offers affordable housing options for a wide range of people. The inclusion of fully wheelchair-accessible homes ensures that older residents, people with disabilities, and those downsizing can remain in their community, supporting intergenerational living and strengthening social bonds. Tackling the rural housing crisis and outmigration of younger families from Skye. Culturally, the project also encourages the preservation and revitalisation of Gaelic language and heritage by creating a Gaelic-speaking community centred around Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. Welcoming Gaelic speakers, learners, and families engaged in Gaelic education, Kilbeg strengthens the use of language in daily life, encouraging cultural continuity. Economically, the creation of homes, enterprise units, future commercial spaces is set to stimulate local job creation, while access to amenities like childcare, medical services, and community transport increases quality of life and well-being for residents. Funding from the Scottish Government’s Rural and Islands Housing fund and the Highland Council was instrumental in building the homes. Kilbeg’s community-led approach ensures local needs drive the development, preserving the character and resilience of Sleat while offering a replicable model for ethical, sustainable rural regeneration across the Highlands.
