North of Scotland Škoda retailer Delmore Cars of Inverness moved into a new £1.5m showroom last month after more than 20 years on a site overlooking the Beauly Firth, a mile west of the Highland capital.

The new two-acre site at Carsegate Industrial Estate – more than twice the size of the old facility – is closer to the heart of Inverness. It is one of the most modern car dealerships in the area.

In addition to a showroom with space for up to eight new cars, the site has extensive workshop and administration space.

Having run Škoda’s largest UK territory, which includes the Hebrides and Orkney, since 1984, Delmore Cars sells around 300 new and 300 used vehicles every year.

Managing director Robert Osborn employed Inverness architects Herd Roland Associates to design the new building for the 18 staff, while construction was carried out by John Duncan Limited of Buckie.

Osborn says: “We were reluctant to give up the panoramic views our old garage gave us overlooking the Beauly Firth, but increases in sales and service volumes meant we were outgrowing the existing premises.”

Škoda has expanded its share of the UK market with expected sales this year of around 40,000 units, up on last year’s 37,803.

It’s a trend reflected by Delmore Cars, which sells more than three-and-a-half times the UK national average for its region.