Broadford head teacher Stephen Atkins, Councillor John Finlayson, Darren Douglas, project lead Morgan Sindall and school pupils Maisie (P6), James (P6), Madeline (P2) and Theo (P3).

The 2,541 square metre campus will deliver a new primary school, nursery and community facilities for Broadford and the wider South Skye area.

At present, foundation works are getting underway. In May this year construction started and the project is due to be completed in winter next year.

Six primary classrooms, two nursery classrooms, alongside a library, canteen, dining room and games hall will be included in the new campus. 

It will also deliver a Highland Council Service Point and High Life Highland library. 

The team has aimed to tackle the logistical obstacles of building on the island, where accommodation accessibility, labour and materials can face limitations, especially during the summer. 

Through work with the council and design team, the project progressed from a standard timber frame to a closed-panel timber kit, with the more finished factory-produced panels needing less work on site and helping to cut programme time and the amount of people that need to be on site. 

The new campus is being built to Passivhaus standard and will have solar PV panels.

Morgan Sindall Construction is also working with Broadford Primary School, situated opposite of the site, with pupil and school site visits having been arranged for future months. 

Ian MacDonald, senior operations manager at Morgan Sindall Construction in Scotland, said: “Reaching the foundation stage brings us another step closer to providing a new learning and community facility for Broadford and the wider South Skye area.

“Building on the island comes with unique logistical challenges, so adapting our approach has been an important part of keeping the project moving.”

Councillor John Finlayson, chair of Highland Council’s education committee, said: “With another new school soon to get underway in Dunvegan, and several other important infrastructure improvements taking shape on the island, including the development of the sports pitch beside the new school in Broadford, it’s an exciting time in Skye.

“Strong and productive partnerships involving council, local members, Sport Scotland, community and government have been key to unlocking investment and driving positive change that will support people of all ages and future generations.”