The transfer of 19 National Trust for Scotland properties to Perth and Kinross Council has been completed.
Former NTS tenants will now become tenants of the Council and will enjoy a range of associated benefits as a result, including reduced rent levels and a 24-hour emergency repairs service.
Council Leader, Councillor Grant Laing, visited Dunkeld today and met some of the tenants to mark the handover of their tenancy.
The National Trust for Scotland, which cares for and shares Scotland's heritage, has been responsible for the management of the residential homes, an office and two commercial units in Dunkeld since the 1950s.
The charity stepped in to save the 17th and 18th century buildings, which were at risk of demolition, taking ownership, restoring the buildings and then letting them to tenants, preserving the unique historic character of Dunkeld town centre which is widely regarded as one of the most attractive in Scotland.
The charity and Perth and Kinross Council have been working to transfer the homes into the ownership of the Council's Housing Revenue Account since October 2024.
Councillor Laing said: "I am delighted that the Council has taken ownership of these homes in a historic part of Dunkeld, securing their future and providing the local community with social housing for affordable rent. We have worked very hard with the National Trust for Scotland to make the transfer as seamless as possible for tenants. I would like to thank the National Trust for Scotland and the tenants for working positively and constructively with us over the last few months.
"As a large social landlord we will be able to offer tenants lower levels of rent and access to the wide range of Council services enjoyed by all our other tenants, including 24-hour emergency repairs and a programme of investment that will see regular improvements made to the homes.
"These properties will be a fantastic addition to the stock social housing for the people of Dunkeld, now and into the future."
Housing and Social Wellbeing Convener, Councillor Tom McEwan, also attended today. He added: "The tenants here will enjoy a secure tenancy that they can enjoy for as long as they want to, with regular investment to improve their homes to the highest standard possible.
"I am very happy that we can now offer our services to our new tenants. We have also put arrangements in place that will see people with a connection to Dunkeld given priority consideration should a vacant tenancy arise in one of the properties."
Stuart Maxwell, Regional Director for Edinburgh & East said: "The National Trust for Scotland has been proud to play a part in protecting Dunkeld for many decades and we are confident that these new arrangements will ensure the continued protection of this beautiful town and provide benefits to its tenants. Our conservation charity will continue to take an active role in ensuring that Dunkeld retains the nature, beauty and heritage that makes it so special."
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