North housebuilder Tulloch Homes said yesterday a £25million investment in Ross-shire reflected its growing confidence in the Highland market.
The Inverness company starts work this week on the first homes of a new development at Broomhill, Muir of Ord.
Elsewhere in Ross-shire, new phases are being rolled out at the firm’s existing sites in Conon Bridge, Fortrose and North Kessock.
The initial investment in Muir of Ord and Conon Bridge is part of longer term plans worth £80million.
Chief executive George Fraser said: “We’ve never been so active in Ross-shire.
“Our research shows there is now a market there for rural homes and we’re going for it.
“All four Ross-shire locations have the ability to service both local and incoming markets, plus those seeking homes within commuting distance of Inverness and Dingwall.”
Mr Fraser said a 35% sales increase in home sales by the firm in the first six months of this year had “set the stage” for significant fresh investment.
Sales accelerated in June, when Tulloch reported a 29% year-on-year increase over the first five months of the year to 75 new homes.
An improving market has led to 34 new jobs at the firm over the past 10 months.
The company how has about 130 employees, with several hundred more on regular sub-contract work.
It recently said it was plotting a return to the Aberdeen market after business in the Highlands had returned to pre-recession levels.
Pent-up local demand, easier mortgage availability and the Help To Buy schemes drove the sales surge, Mr Fraser added.
Tulloch was active in Aberdeen many years ago and has been drawn back to the city by its buoyant housing market.
In February, accounts for the company showed a return to the black after one of its best spells for house sales in many years.
It posted pre-tax profits of £964,000 for the year to June 30, 2013, following losses of £66.3million in the previous 18 months.