The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) has agreed to support in principle a new college for the West Highlands to provide a more efficient and effective way of delivering further education in this part of Scotland.

Argyll, Lochaber, and Wester Ross and Skye colleges, which are currently independent, have agreed in principle to merge as a first step to creating the new college, which SFC hope it will in time directly fund.

The proposed West Highland College would better meet the needs of the area, which has historically not been well served for further education.

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The college will be a partner in the UHI Millennium Institute and will work in close partnership with Inverness and North Highland colleges, which will enable the people of the west coast to access a range of higher education, from higher national level through to postgraduate provision.

Mark Batho, Chief Executive of the Scottish Funding Council, said the partnership is a chance to create a college which will reflect the needs of the West Highlands.

Wilma Campbell, Chair of Argyll College welcomed the opportunity saying economies of scale and collaborative working will help to make all the colleges better equipped for the future.

Michael Foxley, chair of Lochaber College said the decision is great news for Lochaber and for the West Highlands: "United we will be a much stronger voice for our communities which will allow us to develop and extend more learning opportunities."

Gordon Bushnell, Chair of Skye and Wester Ross College looked forward to developing ways of making learning more accessible in remote communities.

(GK/JM)