The Highland Council’s new flagship offices for East Sutherland will be formally opened tomorrow – 104 years to the day after Sutherland Technical School opened its doors to its first residential students.

The refurbishment of Drummuie, Golspie, began on Monday 21 August, 2006, and staff completed a phased transfer there from five offices - in Brora, Dornoch and Golspie - in May of this year.

Part of the project involved the formation of a new access off the A9. In addition to giving access to the new offices, the road has opened up land to the north of the A9 for much-needed affordable housing in the Golspie area. The 72-house development is being supported by the Council and the Highland Housing Alliance. The road also provided access from the A9 trunk road to the Kilbraur windfarm.

Council Convener Sandy Park will open the building. He said: "I am so impressed with the way this magnificent landmark building has been brought back into life. It represents a major commitment to the area by the Council, and, by bringing the majority of our staff in the area into one office, we can significantly improve our service to the public and at the same time be more efficient."

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Councillor Ian Ross, East Sutherland and Edderton, who has taken a close interest in the redevelopment, said: "Drummuie is a magnificent and striking listed building; it is justifiably considered of high architectural heritage value and as the former Sutherland Technical School has many strong historical associations and links for people in Sutherland and beyond. The new Council office development allows the building to continue to make an important public service contribution to the people of Sutherland and also ensures a significant continued Highland Council presence in the County. The removal of the trees and the landscaping of the land to the front of the building have now returned it to its former status of early last century, as an impressive gateway to the village of Golspie."

The building was built at the behest of Millicent, Duchess of Sutherland in 1903 for the education of crofters' sons in Caithness and Sutherland. It was funded by her husband, the Duke of Sutherland, as well as the Duke of Portland and Andrew Carnegie of Skibo Castle. During its years as the Sutherland Technical School, hundreds of pupils were trained in a wide variety of skills to fit them for careers across the Highlands and beyond.

(GK)