Work began this week to replace one of the most rural and remote schools in Scotland.

Pupils at Lochaline Primary School, Morvern, marked the occasion with a turf cutting ceremony at the school site, which will also incorporate a new fire station for the community.

The Highland Council has awarded a 57-week contract to MacGregor Construction (Highland) Ltd, whose team moved on to the site this week.

The work involves the phased demolition of the existing primary school, with the exception of the hall, and construction of the new primary school and fire station with associated external works and services.

The new school has been designed to a high sustainability standard and will feature a biomass boiler. It will comprise two classrooms, resources area, community room and new kitchen. The nursery unit will be upgraded and the existing school hall will be converted into a dining/gym hall.

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A floodlit MUGA (multi use games area) is being provided also in the grounds. Evidence of slow-worms were found on site last year and evidence of bats were found in parts of the building, both being protected species. The slow-worms were captured and relocated last year by the school following guidance from SNH and a bat licence was obtained to relocate nests.

The development has been designed and project managed in house by the Council’s Housing and Property Service on behalf of the Education, Culture and Sport Service as client sponsor.

Councillor Michael Foxley, Leader of The Highland Council, who is one of the four ward members representing the area, said: “This is a significant milestone for this eagerly-awaited new community primary school, which will replace grossly sub-standard buildings and provide our staff, pupils and residents with a modern learning environment. The inclusion of the fire station is the first for mainland Scotland and demonstrates the way forward for shared services in the Highlands.”

Keith Adams has two good reasons for looking forward to the new project. He is the head teacher of the 21 pupil school and is also one of the area’s nine retained firemen.

He said: “This is something we have all been eagerly waiting for and it is great to see work under way. The pupils will really enjoy the new facilities and having the fire station incorporated in the school building. I will have no excuse now for being late for a fire call out.”

(GK)