Beauly is one step nearer to securing a new primary school after councillors agreed to begin a formal public consultation on relocating the school to a new site west of Cnoc na Ràth.
The decision was taken by The Highland Council’s Education Committee and marks the most significant progress in years for a community that has long called for a modern, fit for purpose building.
The consultation will be carried out under the Schools Consultation Act and will set out the proposal in full for parents, pupils, staff and the wider community.
Education Committee Chair, Councillor John Finlayson, said the move represents a real chance for Beauly to secure the school it deserves.
He said it is a moment that many families have waited a long time to see.
“This is a positive step forward for the young learners of Beauly,” he said.
“This decision moves us a step closer to delivering a modern school that meets the needs of pupils and the wider community.”
He said relocating the school to a fresh site will allow construction to happen without disrupting learning in the existing building.
“We expect the consultation to conclude with a recommendation around April 2026, although this may change to ensure all views are fully considered,” he said.
“In the meantime, much of the planning can run alongside the consultation so we can keep momentum and make progress at pace.”
He encouraged the community to take part and make their voices heard.
Beauly Primary School and Nursery currently serve 113 pupils and 20 nursery children in buildings that date back to the late nineteenth century.
The estate is rated C for both condition and suitability, with limited outdoor space and facilities that no longer match the needs of modern education.
The Council has been working with parents, community representatives, local members and officers since 2021 to identify a long term solution.
An application for national Learning Estate funding was unsuccessful, but the Highland Investment Plan has provided a new route to move the project forward.
The formal statutory consultation will begin soon and will open with a public meeting where the proposals will be presented and discussed.
Residents will be able to submit views both before and after the meeting, ahead of any final recommendation and decision by the Council.
Full details, including how to participate, will be published on the Highland Council website in due course.
The hope is that this consultation will mark the beginning of lasting change for Beauly’s youngest learners.
