​Keys to Skye school residence door handed over

Highland Council has received the keys to the door of a pupil residence at Portree High School which has seen the refurbishment of the former Elgin Hostel building.

There will be an opportunity for members of the public to view the refurbished residence will take place on Monday 30  May from 6pm to 8.30pm.

The keys were handed to Margaret Anne Beaton, Residence Manager by Dawn Marshall, who represented MacGregor construction, main contractor for the refurbishment project, to return the Elgin Hostel from Council offices to the school residence.

In attendance were Cllr Drew Millar, Chair of Education, Children and Adult Services Committee, who said: “It is a fantastic achievement to see this iconic building which is well known in the area restored to its former glory.”

The building has been renovated to a very high standard and will provide excellent accommodation for our young people. This move is part of the overall project of establishing a standalone Gaelic School in Portree.

Margaret Anne Beaton said: “The young people are looking forward to moving into the new residence which they have described as ‘amazing’. The building has been sympathetically refurbished, retaining original architectural features while still providing a modern and vibrant environment. There is a continuum of history in retaining and bringing back to life an iconic building which was originally opened in 1933 as a school hostel for boys.