Fury as Strathconon Primary School set to be mothballed after £1.8m revamp
HIGHLAND Council is to mothball a school it - and a billionaire Lego dynasty member - have spent at least £1.8m on doing up.
Local MSP Edward Mountain branded the decision as "madness" and said that Strathconon Primary School in the Highlands was "the most modern school in Scotland" with "state-of-the-art" facilities - yet would lie empty.
Highland Council says it will be shut after the school role falls to just nine-year-old Scott McLennan in August.
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Furious parents have organised a public meeting on January 24 and Garve and District Community Council have also called for the school to be kept open.
In May, the current four pupils returned to the school after the year long refurbishment - which included a "significant" donation from the nearby Strathconon Estates, whose director is Sofie Kirk Kristiansen, the great-granddaughter of Lego founder Ole Kirk Kristiansen, who established the Danish toymaker in 1932.
The children had been taught in the village hall while the improvements were carried out.
Despite requests, Highland Council has not disclosed the cost of the works, but they were put out to tender at £1,791,662.
Stranconon Estates, which is also fighting the mothballing, confirmed that it had contributed a "significant" sum but it is not clear if this was part of the tender figure or in addition.
There was delight over the des res new school, but in September shocked parents received a letter from Highland Council warning that it was minded to mothball it.
The remaining pupil Scott McLennan will face a 12-mile journey to Marybank Primary School.
His mother, Mary, of Strathconon Primary Parent Council, said the decision to mothball a school where so much money had just been spent "beggars belief".
"The council must have known for years that the school role would fall, yet still went ahead with the refurbishment," she said.
"Because this is a small community the children are used to their own company and the estate, the largest employer in the glen, needs the facility for any future families.
"The school is so des res it even has underfloor heating, solar panels, a state of the art kitchen, breakout and dining room and even a toilet for each of the four children!
"Scott is dyslexic and now faces a 45-minute journey to school. We want the council to keep Strathconon open, otherwise what has been the point of spending so much money?"
Scottish Conservative MSP for the Highlands and Islands region, Edward Mountain, said the council and the estate spent over £1.8m making it a "state of the art primary school probably the best one we have got in the Highlands with all its own facilities".
"It is the most modern school in Scotland. The estate has also invested a significant amount. It's madness to have spent so much money to mothball it. It is an amazing building and I have asked Highland Council to reconsider and keep this vital local school open."
Garve and District Community Council said it has been in discussions with parents about the mothballing.
"During these discussions, parents have highlighted that the Strathconon Estate is currently recruiting for new staff, which may or may not lead to new families in the area," it said.
"Marybank, Scatwell and Strathconon Community Council have also kept us updated and are amazed that The Highland Council invested considerable resources in the lengthy and thorough renovation of the school, which was reopened only in the spring and are now facing the possibility of mothballing."
Strathconon Estates, which employs 16 people, said it has four positions coming available and the school was a "much-needed" facility to attract families to the remote area. That is why it had contributed to the refurbishment.
The estate owns some 33,500 hectares. Ms Kristiansen, and a close friend of Princess Mary of Denmark, personal fortune is estimated at $6.2 billion [£5.04bn].
A Highland Council spokesperson said: “The Highland Council has decided to mothball Strathconon Primary School from the summer of 2025, as the school roll is expected to drop to a single pupil in August 2025. There are currently four children in the school, three of whom are in P7. No P1 enrolments are expected for August 2025.
“Highland Council considers there are educational disadvantages to being the sole pupil in a school. Council officers met with parents and other residents on October 2, to discuss the possibility of mothballing.
“The Strathconon Estate advise that they are recruiting for new staff. The council has advised parents that we will continue to monitor the situation, and up to May 1 will review the decision to mothball should there be appointments to the estate that result in more school-age children within the school’s catchment area.”
On its website, Highland Council says:"Strathconon Primary School is a single-teacher school in the centre of the scattered village of Strathconon in one of the most beautiful glens in the Highlands. A happy and stimulating learning environment is provided by a caring and dedicated staff. The education of the children is regarded as a partnership between home and school.There are strong links with the local community which plays a vital part in the continuing development of many aspects of the school life."
