Gaelic primary school opening keenly awaited in Lochaber

The Gaelic version of the press release can be found here.

The Highland Council’s new Gaelic Primary School, Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Loch Abar, located in Caol, Fort William will welcome pupils on Wednesday 19th August.

Keys were handed over by Robertson Northern to The Highland Council on 3 July and final touches and checks are ongoing, with the landscaping and amenity areas being completed.

This facility will be complimented by the openings in September/October of the new Caol Community Centre facility and the new Lundavra Primary School.

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 only outstanding education facilities, but also excellent opportunities for community access and use.

Chair of the Education, Care and Learning and Adult Services Committee, 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.

The use of the facilities can be booked by making contact with the respective Head Teachers of each establishment.

Leader of the Lochaber Area Committee, 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. Everyone will benefit from the fact that these are open and available to all out with school hours.”

Chair of the Gaelic Implementation Group and the Community Safety, Public Engagement and Equalities Committee, Councillor Hamish Fraser said: “The development of the Gaelic language and culture will be greatly enhanced in the area by this new Gaelic Primary School. The benefits of bilingual education have been widely acknowledged and this kind of education will also help to develop and sustain the Gaelic language amongst young people.”

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.