SNH's new headquarters at Great Glen House

The agency's relocation to its new home at Great Glen House in Inverness has been criticised by unions and MSPs.

However, Jack McConnell said the move was good for jobs and devolution.

Unions said only 55 staff made the switch with 109 opting for redundancy. Great Glen House is also a base for the Deer Commission for Scotland.

Mr McConnell said: "Relocating SNH was a decision that had its critics. It wasn't an easy choice, but I was convinced it was the right thing to do.

"We must ensure the benefits of devolution are enjoyed in every part of Scotland.

"The city has already gained dozens of high quality jobs from this relocation. But, it has brought other benefits too. There are now new opportunities for school leavers."

We will not accept the compulsory job losses or compulsory relocation of our members and their dependants Union secretary Eddie Reilly

The official opening comes a week after spending watchdog Audit Scotland said ministers had failed to make the case for spreading government jobs about the country.

The executive told SNH to make the move up the A9 in March 2003, at a cost of more than �21m.

The new �15m headquarters has been built on the site of a former nurses' home in the Westercraigs area.

Eddie Reilly, Scottish secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union in Scotland, has opposed the executive's policy.

He said: "We will not accept the compulsory job losses or compulsory relocation of our members and their dependants.

"Audit Scotland confirms our concerns and we are demanding that the first minister puts his house in order before relocating any more of our members' households."

Great Glen House was built with low energy consumption a priority.

Highest ever

It uses natural ventilation, meaning it does not require air conditioning, and building materials came from environmentally-friendly sources.

The building was awarded the highest ever environmental rating for buildings in the UK since the BREEAM system, an independent measure of environmental quality, was introduced in 1998.

Mr McConnell said: "I am impressed by the environmental credentials of Great Glen House.

"It sets new environmental standards for buildings across the UK at a time when we face the growing threat of climate change."

First Minister Jack McConnell unveils a plaque in the new building

SNH chairman Andrew Thin admitted the relocation to Inverness had been "challenging and complex".

He said: "A great many people, within SNH and among partners and contractors, deserve a huge amount of credit for this.

"We are in a time of important change for SNH.

"I believe the move is having, and will continue to have, something of a rejuvenating effect on the organisation, helping to focus us even more on the contribution we make to improving the lives of Scotland's people."

Mr McConnell was given a tour of the building - which is the base for 250 SNH and Deer Commission staff - by SNH chief executive Ian Jardine.