Inverness saw significant activity in the building of new homes

Highland Council said 1,807 new homes were completed last year - a 7% increase on the 2006 figure of 1,688.

The statistics come as consultants said an influx of people drawn to the region looking for a new lifestyle would halt any fall in prices.

CKD Galbraith said it had also sold five properties in the Highlands for an average price of �1m.

Highland Council said in 2007 that major housing completions - schemes with five or more homes - accounted for 63% of developments.

Rising fast

The remainder of completions comprised smaller scale developments, which the authority said were a vital element of the housing supply.

Inverness South Ward saw the highest number of houses being built in any one council ward with 489 house completions concentrated at Culduthel Mains Farm/Slackbuie, Wester Inshes, Milton of Leys and Woodside of Culloden.

Earlier this month, it was revealed that house prices in the Highlands had risen faster than any other area in Scotland in the past decade.

The Bank of Scotland said the cost of a home in the region had more than trebled since 1997, rising by 221%.