Strathconon community upbeat on future of mothball-threatened Highland Council-run primary school
THE state-of-the-art mothball-threatened primary school at the heart of a rural Ross-shire community was the focus of a poignant and upbeat gathering last week.
Strathconon Primary staged a special get-together for the re-opening of the primary school which locals hope will continue to play a key role as a community hub.
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Mary Chisholm, whose son Scott attends the school, said: “We had a great afternoon at the re-opening of Strathconon Primary with in excess of 80 people at the event.
“The ribbon was cut by James MacKay and Margerat Kirkman as the oldest residents in the glen who attended the school, accompanied by Lily Sutherland, our youngest resident in the Glen.
“The staff and pupils at the school had done fantastic work in displaying photographs over the years along with archive materials of activities and events from years gone by.
“Everyone that attended was very impressed with the beautiful refurbishment of the building and the facilities and learning environment that the current pupils enjoy.
“Demonstrating that while in a small remote school valuable links can be forged and maintained with schools throughout the whole of the Highlands if the will is to do so.
“We all look forward to a bright and positive future for the school in the heart of Strathconon.”
A Highland Council spokesperson said: “The Highland Council decided to mothball Strathconon Primary School from the summer of 2025, as the school roll was expected to drop to a single pupil in August 2025. There are currently 4 children in the school, 3 of whom are in P7. No P1 enrolments were 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 2 October 2024, to discuss the possibility of mothballing.
“The Strathconon Estate advise that they are recruiting for new staff, and the council has recently been notified that a new pupil is to enrol in the school in May of this year.
“The council has advised parents that we will continue to monitor the situation, and up to 1 May 2025 will review the decision to mothball in the light of the enrolment data available at that time.”
