Retired construction businessman Don Michie, 75, who lives in Onich near Fort William, has built up 14 rental properties over his career—five in Lochaber, four in Argyll and four in Glasgow. Now he and his wife Mary, 73, want those homes to become part of the social housing supply.

Michie, who trained as a civil engineer in Glasgow before returning north in the 1970s to establish Don Michie Construction, said he felt compelled to act as housing pressures continue to drive rural depopulation.

“Over the years, when I had a bit of a jingle in my pocket, I bought bits of land and properties,” he said. “They supplement my pension. But my wife and I have no kids, so I’m trying to do a deal with various local authorities.”

Michie has proposed leasing his properties to councils for £15,000 a year, with the rent fixed for the rest of his life. Although all the homes currently have tenants, councils would be able to allocate them to people on their housing lists as vacancies arise.

The couple have also created the Don and Mary Michie Foundation, which would inherit the properties on their deaths. At that point, councils would be offered the chance to buy the homes at 80% of their current value.

“So they might end up buying a flat worth £100,000 for £80,000, which in ten years’ time could be worth £200,000,” Michie said. “Of the four local authorities I’ve approached, three have said it’s a phenomenal opportunity to add to their housing stock at a massive discount. The only exception is Highland Council, who have never replied to any of my letters.”

He stressed he is not seeking to profit from the arrangement. “I would like to recover my outlays, but I’m not looking to make any profit.”

Funds raised through the foundation would be donated to charitable causes, with Michie expressing hope that some could support the creation of a new public park in Fort William.

Alongside the property portfolio, Michie owns land on Skye, Islay and in Lochaber, which he hopes could be used for social housing through a new community housing trust. He said he would make no profit from any land sales.

He added that private investors—including several from overseas—had expressed interest in buying his rental portfolio, but he rejected the idea. “Their involvement would fly in the face of my aspiration for the houses to be taken in as housing stock by either local authorities or a housing association.”

An Argyll and Bute Council spokeswoman confirmed the authority already rents properties from Michie for temporary accommodation. “As a stock‑transfer authority, we no longer hold housing stock and do not act as a landlord,” she said. “We have, however, put Mr Michie in touch with social housing landlords operating locally who may benefit from his generous offer.”

A Highland Council spokesman said: “We are in contact with the gentleman but are not in a position to comment on the details of this discussion.”

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