Education chiefs in the Highlands are drawing up multimillion pound plans to revamp more than 10 schools.
Work could start from next year after the local authority identified the secondary and primary school upgrades it believes are of the “highest priority”.
Fortrose Academy has been earmarked for a refurbishment and replacement of its older buildings, while Broadford Primary on Skye could be rebuilt or extended.
Refurbishments and extensions are also on the cards for Balnain, Invergarry, Lochcarron, Poolewe and Strathconon primaries, while a new nursery is proposed at Ullapool Primary.
Highland Council has revealed that in addition to the upgrades, a consultation is due to be held on building a new, larger Inverness Gaelic Primary School – just nine years after the current facility was opened.
Councillors are also expected to back plans this week for a new £4million additional support needs (ASN) annexe at Cauldeen Primary School in Inverness, while plans for new early years and community facilities in the Merkinch area of the Highland capital are also being drawn up.
Funding is due to be approved this week for new synthetic playing fields at Gairloch and Ullapool high schools.
Four new council officers could be appointed to help manage the revamp of the region’s schools.
The local authority’s resources chairman Bill Fernie said: “A number of years ago we had a review carried out and many of our schools were in need of refurbishment.
“There was definitely a need for investment . We have started to see movement on that, and there’s been major improvements in Fort William and Wick and other areas as well, but there’s still a lot to do.
“The Highlands has many schools and it’s a long haul bringing them up to the standard we want.
“It’s been obvious in Inverness for some time that the increase in population means we have to put extensions on to a number of schools.
“I think a new school has been talked about but I think there’s a feeling that the existing schools can be extended.”
The proposed investment – which will be subject to a review of the council’s capital spending plans – emerged amid an ongoing row over the Scottish Government-backed public-private partnership model used to build new schools.
Local authority leader Margaret Davidson called for the probe last week following delays to the new £48.5million Wick Campus and the £34million Inverness Royal Academy.
Previously announced plans for a £20million replacement for Alness Academy are expected to be managed by the same group as the Wick and Inverness Royal Academy projects, Hub North Scotland.
Councillor Fernie, who represents Wick, said: “I think the Scottish Government have to take a serious look at what has been happening with projects.
“I don’t see people saying they are happy with the delays, although most are happy once the work is completed.”
The issues and the new school building plans are due to be discussed by the local authority’s education committee on Thursday.
Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, said: “Obviously schools are a priority and some of these schools have old buildings and use portable classrooms.
“If kids get a good place to learn, they learn better. Investing in schools is a good thing.”
Local Green MSP John Finnie said: “Whilst improvements to the school estate are welcome, particularly with some of the older buildings, there is no doubt much more could and should have been done if significant sums hadn’t been squandered on PFI projects.”
