Families in Dingwall will have their first opportunity later this month to explore plans for a major new education campus bringing together Dingwall Primary School and St Clement’s Special School in purpose built facilities designed to serve generations of local children.

Highland Council has confirmed that the multimillion pound development will be presented to the public at two consultation events, with the first taking place at The Legion in Dingwall on Wednesday 28 October.

The proposals would see both schools accommodated within one modern campus building, although each would retain its own identity, name, staff, management, entrance, parking and dedicated facilities.

The new Dingwall Primary School would accommodate up to 456 pupils, alongside 88 early years places and provision for Gaelic Medium Education.

St Clement’s School would have capacity for 76 pupils, with the development designed to offer opportunities for greater collaboration and access to specialist support.

The campus would also provide facilities intended to benefit the wider community, including a disability sports centre and a 3G synthetic pitch available for community use outside school hours.

Flexible office accommodation for Highland Council staff and partner organisations would also form part of the development.

These additional facilities reflect Highland Council’s Community Points of Delivery approach, which aims to combine education, community services and other public facilities within accessible local buildings.

The project forms part of the Highland Investment Plan, a £2.1 billion programme covering 20 years of investment in schools, roads and infrastructure.

The wider programme is financed through borrowing and a ring fenced allocation equivalent to 2% of council tax revenue.

Hub North Scotland is the council’s delivery partner, while Robertson Construction has been identified as the preferred main contractor.

Councillor John Finlayson, chair of Highland Council’s education committee, said:

“I am delighted to see this multi-million pound investment in Dingwall Primary School and St Clement’s Special School move forward.

“This significant investment will provide modern, high-quality facilities to support learners achieve their full potential.

“The co-location of both schools on one site offers opportunities for greater collaboration and inclusion, such as improved access to specialist support, a mainstream setting, and participation in the wider curriculum.

“Through our PoD concept, the development will bring together education provision, with community and partnership spaces, creating a valuable resource for the local community.”

Councillor Margaret Paterson, vice chair of the Dingwall and Seaforth Area Committee, welcomed the investment and the commitment to maintaining the separate identities of both schools.

She said:

“I welcome the significant investment planned in the Dingwall area, and the commitment that each school will retain its own identify, leadership, staff and facilities.

“The drop-in events are an important opportunity for the community to view the proposals and share views ahead of a planning application being made next year.”

The first public event will take place at The Legion, Dingwall, on Wednesday 28 October between 2pm and 7pm.

A second opportunity to view the proposals will follow at Dingwall Town Hall on Wednesday 2 December, also between 2pm and 7pm.

The events are open to pupils, parents, staff and members of the wider community, giving people an opportunity to examine the plans and share their views before a planning application is submitted in 2027.

Highland Council agreed in December 2025 to relocate St Clement’s to the new site alongside Dingwall Primary, following a statutory education consultation.

A stakeholder group involving school representatives, parents, pupils, local councillors, community councils and High Life Highland has also been established to help inform the project.

Construction is currently expected to begin in 2028, with the main school buildings scheduled for completion in 2030.

Landscaping and other external works are targeted for completion in 2031.

For Dingwall, the proposals represent a significant investment in local education, with the prospect of modern facilities that could benefit not only pupils and teachers but families and community organisations across the town.