Plans for a new Gaelic primary school on Skye have been approved, despite concern about its “factory-like” appearance.
The former Margaret Carnegie Hostel in Portree, which was built in 1859, and a more recent nearby boys’ hostel will be demolished to make way for the new school.
The plans also include the provision of outdoor floodlit sports facilities.
Skye councillor and education committee chairman Drew Millar hailed the decision as the “biggest day” for Gaelic education on Skye.
However the plans had proved contentious with objections from Portree and Braes Community Council, as well as a number of local residents.
Community council secretary Catriona Leslie, speaking in a personal capacity, said that the new school was a “luxury” for Highland Council which is currently facing a major budget gap.
She added: “Nothing will change my views about the appearance of the building and the demolition of what is one of the more attractive buildings on the whole island.”
Committee chairwoman Councillor Isobel McCallum also expressed her concern about the appearance of the building.
She said: “It invites criticism. It is drab and uninspiring and it looks a bit like a factory.”
Planning officer Mark Harvey described the building as “unashamedly contemporary” but admitted that the plans “will not to be to everyone’s tastes”.
Mrs McCallum asked for a condition to be attached to the plan to allow changes to the colour and design of the outside of the building, which was agreed.
The council agreed plans to build the new stand-alone Gaelic primary school at Portree in 2011, with costs then expected to be around £6.8million.
It will replace the existing Gaelic medium unit at Portree Primary School.
Mr Miller said: “If you ask a lot of people who stayed at the hostel they will be glad to see the back of it I’m sure.
“Certainly a few I’ve spoken to have volunteered to come along and help knock it down.”
Committee member Councillor Margaret Paterson, Dingwall and Seaforth, said: “I absolutely welcome it. It’s a tremendous step, a historic step for Gaelic education and the people of Skye.”