Organisers of a unique boat building qualification for high school pupils have turned to crowdfunding to keep the course going.
Plockton High’s Am Bata is the only SQA accredited course of its kind in Scotland and has helped more than 50 pupils since 2007.
But the school does not charge commercial rates for the work it does and the cost of materials is high.
Am Bata was originally started to help young people learn traditional skills that would also make them more employable so they could stay in the local area.
It is run in collaboration between the technology department and Mark Stockl, a professional boatbuilder based in Ullapool.
Earlier in the year, school technician James Phimister said that the course would have to be mothballed if cash to support the programme could not be found.
In a letter seeking funding the faculty head of technologies at the school, Neil Jardine, underlined the importance to pupils.
Mr Jardine wrote: “Since 2007, Am Bàta has contributed to more than fifty pupils finding positive destinations upon leaving our school.
“Their testimonies highlight the value and significance of the experience to them.”
Now the school has turned to crowd funding to support the scheme, setting a target of £11,000. The page has already clocked up over £1,000 which taken with other efforts means they are almost one third of the way there to reaching a total of £15,000.
A spokesman for the campaign said: “The project was started in response to many of our young people leaving school and leaving the area as a result of limited opportunities locally.
“Our aim has always been, and continues to be, for pupils to build their entrepreneurial capacity, work through and deal with problems in collaboration with others whilst developing strong employability skills.
“This happens through the practical experience of building a new boat and carrying out repairs, all commissioned by private clients over a school year.”
Previously a partnership with the University of the Highlands and Islands and funding from the Lottery Heritage Fund plugged the gaps but both sources have now come to an end.
