An attempt by councillors to postpone a consultation into the future of schools in a remote part of the Highlands was defeated yesterday.
Highland Council wants to look at the best options for education in the Strontian area, including the replacement of the primary school.
Officials have drawn up three options – upgrading Strontian Primary, putting a modular building with two classrooms on land beside Ardnamurchan High School, or providing pre-school and primary classrooms within the high school.
But the education, children and adult services committee yesterday voted to add a fourth option suggested by the local parent council.
This is to build a new school next to the existing nursery.
Some councillors voiced concern that the options have not been discussed with parents in the area.
Councillor Bren Gormley said that people in Strontian were distressed at the proposals.
He added that making successful changes to education provision depended on effective discussions with the community before formal consultations took place.
Councillor Bill Fernie, Wick, said that there was potential for problems if the council went ahead with the consultation without going to the parents first.
Mr Fernie proposed postponing the formal consultation period but his proposal was defeated by 15 votes to six, with three abstentions.
A formal consultation will also start into proposals for primary schools in the Skye and Lochalsh area.
The proposals involve Edinbane, Dunvegan, Struan and Knockbreck.
Officials have said that one option is to combine the four catchment areas and build an amalgamated school for north-west Skye at Dunvegan.
The two consultations will start on Friday May 23, and a report will be presented to the education committee on November 12.