The official opening of the new Kirkwall Grammar School and Papdale Halls of residence has taken place, it has been announced.

The school and halls of residence have been delivered as part of Orkney Islands Council's £58m Schools Investment Programme. They were officially opened by First Minister Alex Salmond, as part of a two-day visit to the area.

He said: "I'm absolutely delighted to join Orkney Islands Council and the pupils of Kirkwall Grammar School to officially open their new school buildings. I've been able to see for myself the high standard of the new buildings, and this has been recently echoed by inspectors as being 'outstanding'.

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"Young people from Orkney and nearby islands will be able to develop their skills in top rate educational facilities, including a fantastic new theatre, hair dressing salon, state of the art classrooms and an abundance of social space for the young people."

He added: "This new school in Kirkwall is the result of a fantastic partnership between Orkney Islands Council and the Scottish Government, working together to deliver first class educational accommodation for our young people. I wish the school and everybody in it all the best for the future."

(JP/IT)