The first turf has been cut at the site of the brand-new Broadford primary school in the Isle of Skye.
At the ceremony today (Friday 13 February 2026) school pupils were joined by MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch Kate Forbes and Skye councillor and chair of Highland Council’s education committee John Finlayson, along with representatives from contractors Morgan Sindall Construction, Highland Council and several key community organisations.
The development is one of three Highland Council projects included in the Scottish Government ‘s Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) which focusses on delivering high quality, suitable, sustainable, low carbon, and digitally enabled learning environments.
The building has been designed to Passivhaus classic standard to ensure that the funding outcomes required for the LEIP revenue funding will be achieved.
The Broadford development will cost £21 million and will include a nursery/sgoil àraich, gym hall, public library and council service point.
A community project to build a brand-new, all-weather, floodlit sports pitch will complement the school’s facilities.
The primary school build is scheduled for completion by summer 2027.
Cllr John Finlayson, chair of Highland Council’s education committee, said: “Today is a momentous day as we welcome the start of construction on a brand-new school in Broadford.
“It has taken a huge deal of energy, commitment and vision to get us to this stage, but the end result will be first class facilities for the school and wider community.
“A new school for Broadford has been a priority ambition of Highland Council, and now we are turning that vision into genuine progress.
“The new school shows the enormous value in partnership and co-operation when it comes to delivering lasting change. The Highland Council, Scottish Government, community groups and parents have all worked together on this vital development, which is now going to become a reality.
“I would like to thank the Skye community, stakeholders and council officers who have worked tirelessly with me and other members over a number of years to get to this stage. They should be so proud of their efforts.
“I will be looking forward to this school, and then projects in the Highland Investment Plan, including at Dunvegan in Skye, taking shape. As they do so, they give excitement and optimism to communities all across our vast, predominately rural, authority.”
Kate Forbes MSP said: “I am absolutely thrilled to see construction work officially begin in Broadford for the new primary school. I have fought for this day for many years.
“I share in the excitement pupils and teachers have, along with the wider community, for the school and the facilities it will bring to Broadford. The project has received funding from the Scottish Government, and I am pleased to see this investment being made to rural communities such as Broadford.
“I am most grateful to those involved in the stakeholder group which has been held over recent years to help reach this point.”
Ian MacDonald, Senior Operations Manager at Morgan Sindall Construction in Scotland, said: "We are pleased to be marking this important milestone for Broadford Primary School. Morgan Sindall Construction has a long-standing relationship with The Highland Council, and we look forward to commencing works on site this spring to deliver this new facility for the Broadford community.
“This project reflects our continued commitment to providing high-quality, modern educational infrastructure."
Ronan Martin and Melissa MacLeod, on behalf of Broadford Primary School Parent Council, said: “Broadford Primary School Parent Council is delighted to take part in the turf-cutting ceremony marking the start of construction on the new school building, signalling an exciting era for the school and wider community.
“Following a glowing Education Scotland inspection in 2025, the new campus marks a significant step forward for pupils in South Skye, bringing the school and community library together in a modern, Passive-style building with many new facilities, including a new pitch led by South Skye Community Campus.”
Cabinet Secretary for Education Jenny Gilruth said: “The Broadford Primary School project is another clear example of the Scottish Government working with local authorities to provide modern, state-of-the-art learning environments – we are proud to support this project with a £5.8 million investment. The building has been designed to the Passivhaus standard and will include a brand-new all-weather sports pitch.
“Since 2007, the number of schools in ‘good’ or ‘satisfactory’ conditions has increased from 62.7 per cent to a record 92 per cent thanks to direct investment from the Scottish Government. In partnership with local authorities, we will continue to build on this progress even further through the £2 billion Learning Estate Investment Programme.”
Notes to editors:
- The Highland Council has appointed Morgan Sindall Construction as contractor to build the new Broadford Primary School.
- The project is one of three Highland Council projects included in the Scottish Government's Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) which focusses on delivering high quality, suitable, sustainable, low carbon, and digitally enabled learning environments.
- The building has been designed to Passivhaus classic standard to ensure that the funding outcomes required for the LEIP revenue funding will be achieved.
- A new school building for Broadford was included in Phase 2 of the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) that was announced in December 2020. The LEIP aims to create and maintain high quality school buildings that support a range of outcomes, such as improved energy efficiency, digital learning and teaching, and economic growth. Funding for the capital project was included in the council’s revised 5-year capital programme approved in September 2023.
- Members and Council officials have been working with South Skye Community Campus and other partners to support their vision to develop additional community facilities for Broadford and South Skye as part of the new campus.
- A Stakeholder Group was established and the initial meeting took place in April 2021.
- A new Dunvegan Primary School project, also in Skye, is part of a masterplan investment that will include new affordable housing and a sports pitch which are being developed in partnership with Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association and Dunvegan Community Trust. Road and enabling works for the different elements have already been completed.
Broadford New School – Turf Cutting Ceremony
In the picture:
Cllr John Finlayson
Kate Forbes MSP
Stephen Atkins, School Head Teacher
GM Pupils Calum Finlay – P1-3GM; Elin Layfield-Cripps – P4-7GM
EM Pupils Skye Bruce – P1-3EM; Finlay Doherty – P4-7EM
EM Parent – Ronan Martin
GM Parent- Melissa MacLeod
Cllr Chrissie Gillies
Robert Campbell, Highland Council Strategic Lead – Estate and Investment Planning
Sara Matheson, Highland Council Education Support Officer
Iain MacDonald & Darren Douglas - Morgan Sindall Construction
Hamish Fraser & David O’Donnel - Broadford Community Council
Norma Morrison - Broadford and Strath Community Company
Shirley Grant & Nicholas Kelly - South Skye Community Campus SCIO