Swinney voices concerns of Moss Park residents at risk of Highlands closure

Responding to a question from Scottish Conservative MSP Halcro Johnston, Swinney said Health Minister Neil Gray and Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, who is also the local MSP, were involved in discussions about the future of the home.

The first minister added: “The government is willing and prepared to find a solution because the impact of the proposed closure is going in the completely opposite direction to how I would like to see things progress.”

Families of residents fear the relocation could include homes further away from Fort William.

Norman Calder, 76, whose wife Becky is in Moss Park, said he was concerned about her moving 48 miles to Lochgilphead in Argyll or 164 miles to Wick in Caithness.

“I go to see him every day, sometimes twice a day,” he told BBC Naidheachdan.

“It’s not nice to have your wife in a house, but she’s getting the best treatment we can get for her.

“For Moss Park to close because there is nowhere else to go would be devastating not just for Fort William but for the whole of Lochaber.”