The Scottish Government will plough millions of pounds into creating a new high school in Lossiemouth.
The announcement came yesterday, as ministers unveiled a £230million package of spending on 19 of Scotland’s schools.
Locals say Lossiemouth’s existing secondary school, which opened in 1974, is badly in need of replacement.
The new building is expected to be up and running by 2020, though details on its design and location are yet to be finalised.
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead visited the school yesterday to share the good news with its pupils.
Mr Lochhead said: “The new Lossiemouth High School will be a modern building that pupils, teachers and the whole
community will enjoy for generations to come.
“In addition to the educational benefits of the new school, it will also provide a boost to the local economy, creating many construction jobs and apprenticeship opportunities.”
Moray Council convener, and Heldon and Laich ward representative, Allan Wright, said residents in the coastal town had long clamoured for a new secondary school building.
He added: “Lossiemouth High School was judged to be just behind Elgin High School in terms of needing renewal when these plans were formed.
“The school has narrow corridors, poor lighting and a list of other problems that mean it does not match the standards we currently expect.”
Vice-chairman of Moray Council’s children and young people’s services committee, George Alexander, said the announcement was “extremely welcome”.
He added: “Parents, pupils and staff can look forward to having a new school building with the most up-to-date facilities.”
Moray MP Angus Robertson said: “I am absolutely delighted that the government has made this announcement to enable another major infrastructure investment here in Moray.
“This comes on top of other school investments like the new Keith Primary and the new Elgin High School, which is due to start construction in the next few weeks.”
Yesterday’s £230million funding package represents the final phase of a £1.8billion Schools for the Future government
scheme, involving the creation of 112 new buildings.
Under the plans, the government will fund 67% of the eligible cost of the new Lossiemouth High School.
The exact sums involved will be determined following talks with Moray Council and the Scottish Futures Trust.