Name of new care home in Black Isle operated by Parklands Care is announced
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A new care home on the Black Isle is to be called Eilean Dubh, the operators have announced.
Parklands Care Homes is expected to open the £5.5 million facility in Fortrose in February, creating 50 full-time equivalent jobs.
Ron Taylor, managing director of Parklands Care Homes announced the name in a video for social media. He said: “We’re very excited to be opening our new 40 bed care home in Fortrose from early next year. This state of the art facility really is first class and a superb asset for the community. We’re delighted to be working closely with community groups, charities, nurseries and schools to make this a facility the local area can be proud of.”
The name was chosen after Parklands invited its Facebook followers to come forward with recommendations. Followers of local community groups Black Isle Cares and Black Isle Notice Board also offered suggestions.
Mr Taylor added: “We wanted a name to reflect its location and Highland heritage, and the fact that it will serve the whole of the Black Isle. Eilean Dubh, Gaelic for Black Isle, was a clear favourite.
“We are in the process of assembling our care support team and are looking forward to getting on site and beginning the fit out process after Christmas. We expect to welcome our first residents in early February.
“Opening a new care home in the midst of a global pandemic presents a whole raft of challenges, from sourcing supplies to recruiting staff. Nevertheless, we are delighted to be finally opening and would like to thank everyone in the local community who has supported us.”
Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes: “I commend Parklands on the name of the new Fortrose Care Home, which pays tribute to the Gaelic roots of this community. The Black Isle is sorely in need of additional care home capacity and I am delighted that work has been able to progress on the new home during Covid.”
Brian Devlin, Chair of Black Isle Cares, also welcomed the news that the facility will be opening in the new year.
He said: “It’s heartening to hear that our community is soon to have a much needed facility to provide residential care for the elderly in our community. Black Isle Cares campaigned long and hard to have the Parklands facility built. The day that Eilean Dubh opens its doors to its first new residents will be a happy day of relief and celebration for us all, knowing that our oldest and dearest are being loved and cared for in their beautiful new home.”
Parklands has also announced its intention to begin work on a new care home in Inverness next summer. The 59 bed care facility will be the company’s biggest investment yet. A later village comprising 11 homes, and a playgroup for local children, also form part of the planned care campus for Milton of Leys.
In September, Parklands was named the Best Smaller Care Home Group in the UK. The company currently operates eight care homes in Tain, Muir of Ord, Grantown, Aberlour, Keith and Buckie.
