A sweeping £756 million investment programme is poised to reshape communities across the Highlands over the next five years, marking one of the most ambitious capital commitments in the region’s recent history.
Unveiled at a Highland Council meeting on Thursday, the updated Highland Investment Plan sets out a bold roadmap for infrastructure and community development, forming part of a longer-term vision to deliver £2.1 billion in capital investment over the next two decades.
Council Convener Bill Lobban described the plan as a cornerstone of the Council’s strategic vision for the future of the Highlands.
“This consolidated programme,” he said, “represents a serious, long-term commitment to improving lives and building resilience across our region.”
With councillors in full agreement, the Council has now tasked officers with progressing the necessary actions to ensure the plan remains on track and within its budget.
At the heart of this ambitious strategy lies a fresh approach to local services, centred around new community hubs known as Points of Delivery, or PODs.
Council Leader Raymond Bremner explained that these multi-use facilities will become familiar landmarks in Highland communities, combining schools, community spaces and council services under one roof.
“People will start to see a real difference in their communities,” he said.
“These investments will not only modernise key infrastructure like roads, depots and offices, but also breathe new life into neighbourhoods with upgraded schools and welcoming shared spaces.”
The first wave of projects includes substantial investment in schools across Beauly, Charleston, Dingwall, Dunvegan, Fortrose, Inverness High and Thurso.
These locations were selected based on priorities previously agreed by councillors, with the Highland Investment Plan aligning capital spend with the communities that need it most.
The Council’s report reflects decisions taken over the past year and reinforces the commitment to operate within responsible funding limits, while still delivering transformative outcomes.
From education and transport to community facilities and council infrastructure, the plan’s reach is broad and its ambition clear.
It signals not only a financial investment, but a social one, built on the principle that every Highland community deserves high-quality, future-ready services.
For a region as vast and varied as the Highlands, this level of strategic coordination is no small feat.
But the Council is confident that the Highland Investment Plan will lay the groundwork for stronger, better-connected, and more sustainable communities for generations to come.
