After two year's of construction work, Morrison Construction, part of Galliford Try group, has handed the keys over to the new Dingwall Academy and Portree High School.

The £28m, 15,000 sqm Dingwall Academy will accommodate approximately 1,100 pupils while the £28m, 13,000 sqm Portree High School will be home to 700 pupils.

In addition to a range of classrooms both schools will also provide community facilities when they officially open - a public library, enhanced school hall with specialist seating to create a venue for performance and sports facilities which include a swimming pool and climbing wall for the residents of the Isle of Skye to enjoy.

The Highland Council's Chairman of Education, Culture and Sport, Councillor Bill Fernie said: "The building of two new secondary schools represents a significant investment and demonstrates our commitment to sustaining our Highland communities and investing in education for future generations.

-- Advertisement --

"Pupils at Dingwall and Portree can now look forward to starting the next school term in two magnificent new schools which are well built and finished to an extremely high quality. Both schools will not only benefit staff and pupils, but the wider community will be able to enjoy more educational, sporting, leisure and cultural opportunities."

Derek Chambers, Morrison Construction's Project Director for the Highland Schools project, said: "We understood the importance to The Highland Council, the pupils and staff of Dingwall and Portree and the community to have these vital facilities operational.

"There is a real excitement in the air with everyone looking forward to moving into the new modern, airy and spacious buildings, boasting quality finishes, excellent purpose-built facilities and a learning environment that is second to none."

Sports Scotland has contributed funding to the swimming pool in Portree and the Scottish Arts Council to the venue in Dingwall Academy. Now building work is completed, the Highland Council will be setting up ICT systems and moving in all materials and equipment.

(GK/JM)