Official Opening of the Goathill Care and Residential Project

25 March 2024

Maree Todd MSP, Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport and Joe Fitzpatrick MSP, Minister for Local Government Empowerment and Planning officially opened the Goathill Project Development at a ceremony in Stornoway, on a fine sunny day.

The Goathill Development Project consists of the 52 bedroom Taigh Shiphoirt (Seaforth House) Care Home, 50 Unit Bremner Court Housing with Extra Care development and 74 affordable homes.

The development was delivered by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar & Hebridean Housing Partnership in conjunction with the Western Isles Integration Joint Board.

The project team worked closely with the Dementia Services Development Centre at the University of Stirling to achieve a dementia-friendly environment.  Taigh Shiphoirt was designed with four wings for small group living, arranged around safe courtyard spaces. This design maximises natural daylight and has provided a welcoming, familiar environment for residents.

Taigh Shìphoirt also accommodates a daycare facility occupied by Solas (Alzheimer Scotland), a corporate training suite and a new location for the Faire community alarm service.

Bremner Court provides a 15-bed respite facility on the ground floor with 35 flats on the first and second floors which enable people to live independently in their own home while having support provided to meet each individual’s specific needs.

The 74 homes on Sinclair Avenue are a mix of 16 shared equity with the remainder being for rent. There is a mix of family and one bedroom accommodation.  The homes are heated by air source heat pumps and are highly insulated to minimise running costs for households.