The £26m new Millburn Academy, Inverness, opened its doors today for the first time.
The new school features a range of classrooms for both general and specialist teaching; an integrated special unit for pupils with additional support needs; a four court games hall, gymnasium and dance studio, fitness room, school library, and a performance venue with bleacher seating.
Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of the Education Culture and Sport Committee, said: "I am really pleased that the Council has been able to make this huge investment in the city of Inverness. This 21st Century school will provide a smart learning environment not just for the pupils but also for the community who will use the sporting and theatre facilities."
Delia Thornton, Head Teacher of the 1,100-pupil school, said: "This is a very significant day in the history of Millburn Academy. The new building will not only offer a modern learning and teaching environment, but also provide much needed social areas for all the pupils. There will also be extensive community use, particularly of the sports facilities and performance venue."
Millburn Academy is the last of the 11 schools to be built in a second PPP scheme, which has also seen new secondary schools built at Dingwall Academy, Kinlochleven High School and Portree High School; a new school for pupils with additional support needs at Drummond, Inverness; and primary schools at Inshes, Inverness, a new purpose built primary school for Gaelic pupils at Inverness, as well as new primary schools at Kinlochleven, Resolis, Culbokie and Cawdor.
The 11 schools have been built by Alpha Schools (Highland) Ltd.
David Gay, Director of Alpha Schools, said: "Along with everyone else, we have been looking forward to the completion of Millburn Academy, the final Highland school project. We’re thrilled for everyone associated with Millburn that they will now enjoy the same enhanced learning and community facilities that the PPP2 project has already delivered to around 5,000 pupils in the area.
"The construction of 11 schools is a large and complex project and we’re very happy with the quality of work that has been produced. We have enjoyed working alongside The Highland Council and Morrison Construction and look forward to delivering a high standard of maintenance and service throughout the 30 year concession period."
(GK/JM)
Construction News
03/11/2008
£26m Inverness School Opens

29/04/2025
Albyn Housing Society, a major social housing provider operating across the Highlands, is expanding its portfolio to the Isle of Skye for the first time.
The society, which manages almost 3,900 properties across 80 rural communities on the mainland, will soon hand over seven new affordable homes i

29/04/2025
As SP Energy Networks progresses with its ambitious £10.6 billion investment plan (RIIO-T3) to upgrade Central and Southern Scotland's electricity transmission network between 2026 and 2031, a new independent report has shed light on the costs and characteristics of various transmission technologies

29/04/2025
Casey Gardner, a 19-year-old apprentice painter and decorator from Fife, is set to represent Scotland in the national final of the prestigious 2025 PDA Premier Trophy Awards – Apprentice of the Year Competition.
Ms Gardner secured her place after a successful performance in the Regional Heat held

29/04/2025
Keith Anderson, Chief Executive of ScottishPower, has been named Business Leader of the Year at an awards ceremony held at the EICC in Edinburgh. Mr Anderson was chosen from a shortlist of eight company leaders, including representatives from The Ivy Collection, Greggs, Cazenove Capital, and the Mur

29/04/2025
Significant progress has been made this week on major development plans for the strategically important Hunterston site in North Ayrshire.
Members of the council's Planning Committee approved proposals for the creation of a salmon rearing facility at the location.
The applicants, Bakkafrost Scotl

29/04/2025
The local community in Innerleithen, including pupils from St Ronan's Primary School and local councillors have celebrated the official reopening of the village's play park following significant improvement works.
The much-anticipated upgrades to the facility include extensive drainage work and the

29/04/2025
Craigtoun Country Park, a popular destination near St Andrews, is poised to see a significant upgrade to its beloved Dutch Village situated on the boating lake. The structure is set to undergo essential repairs, including new rendering and roof tiles, thanks to newly secured funding.
Fife Council h

29/04/2025
Residents of the Kirkton area of Dundee are a step closer to a new community centre following the allocation of £1.5 million in funding. The money has been awarded to local charity Kirkton Community Centre SCIO through the UK Government's Community Regeneration Partnership (CRP).
The funding will e

29/04/2025
Gas network operator SGN has been lauded for its exceptional commitment to customer service, securing four prestigious gold awards at the CCA Global Excellence Awards 2025 ceremony held in Glasgow last night. The accolades affirm SGN's position as industry leaders in customer care and innovation.
T

29/04/2025
A collaborative effort involving public, private, and academic organisations has culminated in the launch of a ten-year strategy aimed at fostering sustainable economic growth across the Highlands and Islands. The Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership (HIREP) has unveiled its Regional