A £1.8m project has given Buckie High School some of the most modern performance facilities in the north-east.

The new extension includes three music classrooms, five practice rooms, a recording studio, changing facilities and a performance space with seating for more than 230 people.

It also incorporates a locality team base where different agencies can work together.

The site of the new facilities was chosen because in provided good links to the main school entrance and to main teaching blocks, allowing flexible use by pupils and the public.

The recent opening was carried out by Clare Russell, the Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire, who was welcomed by Moray Council convener Councillor George McIntyre.

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Councillor McIntyre said the council was committed to improving its school buildings both as places of learning and as centres of community activities.

He said: “Several years ago we set ourselves the target of bringing all of our secondary schools up to the highest possible standard.

“It was neither an easy nor an inexpensive aspiration but it is one that we have committed to as it has the potential to provide such wide-ranging benefits for both pupils and the wider community.

“The council is in the midst of that programme of improvements. In February, the Milne’s learning centre was opened in Fochabers and construction has started on the new Elgin Academy.

“Here, the development of this performance space, the modern classrooms and the multi-agency base, coming so close on the heels of the new all-weather sports pitch, means that Buckie has a modern campus of which everyone can be very justifiably proud.”

Councillor McIntyre said planning for the Buckie High project began in 2007 with inspiration that former head teacher Chris Sugden brought back from visits to other schools and home and abroad.

“Since then David Barnett, the present rector, along with the pupils, parent council, community council and many, many local organisations have helped influence the design.”

(GK)