Tulloch Homes, an Inverness-based contractor, went back to the thriving Aberdeen housing market as part of a GBP30 million program that will bring at least 100 new positions to its 170-strong workforce.

This would be the first time in ten years the company set foot in Aberdeen. "We have a history of working in Aberdeen but that discontinued ten years ago," said George Fraser, Tulloch Homes Chief executive.

Shareholders, private equity house TPG and investment bank Goldman Sachs, have authorised five different projects to be carried out by the company. One of the projects includes a GBP10 million development in Aberdeen.

"This represents our largest combined investment in almost a decade and it is good news for our employees and our supply chain and sub-contractors," Mr. Fraser said. "It is also extremely encouraging for the construction industry, which is so important to the Highland economy. This will create 100 jobs in Inverness, plus 30 in Aviemore and 50 in Aberdeen. This is in addition to the 170 construction jobs currently sustained in our existing developments."

The Aberdeen move comes after the firm recorded its finest half-year sales results since the global recession.