Four new Highland schools – built at a cost of £17 million as part of the first Education Public Private Partnership project - will open this week when 32,800 pupils in Highland return to school after their summer break.

Ardnamurchan High School, Strontian, will open tomorrow (Tuesday). On Wednesday, Spean Bridge Primary and Strathdearn Primary, Tomatin, will welcome their first pupils, and on Thursday, Glen Urquhart High School opens its doors.

Councillor Andy Anderson, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee, said: "This is a landmark in our Administration's objective in delivering a 21 Century School Improvement Programme. It demonstrates our commitment to sustaining our diverse Highland communities and investing for future generations. I am delighted that the people who have waited a long time for this moment can now see the outcome of their hard work and it perhaps can give others involved in our second Public Private Partnership programme something to look forward to."

He added that the Council was delighted that Community Schools (Highland) Ltd and their contractor – MJ Gleeson - had delivered the four schools, built simultaneously, on time.

Another major school project will be opened on Thursday. The Council has spent more than £5 million on a 23-roomed extension to Fortrose Academy.