Funding is to be invested in a new build for nursery, kitchen, dining, games hall and ancillary accommodation to Beauly, Dunvegan and Kiltearn Primary School estates.

The Highland Council allocated funding from the Scottish Government (SG) capital allocation for the Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) expansion programme.

The funding will also be used for the demolition of buildings at each school that are among the poorest in Highland, and where major concerns exist about their condition and fitness for purpose.

The school building at Kiltearn can be extended to provide the additional nursery accommodation required, and partially refurbished to bring it up to at least a 'B' rating for both Condition and Suitability.

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Chair of the Care, Learning and Housing Committee, John Finlayson, said: "Investing in improvements to our Highland school estate is a priority for the Highland Council and a subject of great importance to all parents and stakeholders within our communities. The Council is working hard to deliver the SG commitment to expand ELC provision by August 2020. This is one of the key priorities of the Council, as is the commitment to continue the programme of refurbishment and renovation of Highland schools."

Budget Leader Alister Mackinnon said: "The Council's capital planning now assumes £50million of capital over 5 years to support the eleven specific school priorities we have identified out of our total school estate of over 200 schools. The proposed capital investment is based on £25million of Council funding plus an assumed successful bid to Scottish Government for a further £25million, when this process opens later this year. However, £50million would not be sufficient to address the capital investment required for all 11 schools. We appreciate that communities want the best possible schools and are doing everything we possibly can to be bid-ready to make the funding case for these schools. We will continue to engage with the Scottish Government and the Scottish Futures Trust, with regard to the 11 priorities and the wider school estate within Highland and will continue to pro-actively make the case for investment in Highland schools."