The Highland Council has announced the new Gaelic Primary School, Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Loch Abar, will be open to pupils on 19 August.

The keys to the building, located in Caol, Fort William, were handed over by Robertson Northern to the council on 03 July.

The final touches are checks are currently ongoing while the landscaping and amenity areas are being completed.

The school will be opened at the same time as the new Caol Community Centre facility and the new Lundavra Primary School in September/October.

Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Loch Abar is the first of four new primary schools and a community centre facility for the Fort William area, which provide not just education facilities, but also opportunities for community access and use.


Councillor Drew Millar, said: "Pupils, parents and teachers are eagerly anticipating the opening of the new school, which will provide an excellent learning environment.

"Each new school also has both indoor and outdoor facilities available to community groups for letting out with school use times so the whole community will benefit."

The new Caol Community Centre facility will house a new library, the Caol Youth Centre, Room 13, and the relocated Caol Community Centre function rooms and halls.

Councillor Thomas MacLennan added: "It is pleasing to see these new developments coming to fruition. The new schools and associated community facilities at the heart of the community will be a tremendous boost to the area."

The Caol joint campus school site is also under construction, with an opening date of August 2016 for the new St Columba’s Roman Catholic Primary School and the new Caol Primary School.

(LM)