Highland Council has announced plans to invest millions of pounds in renovating Inverness High School, one of the region's oldest secondary education buildings. The authority will fund a major upgrade programme through its Highland Investment Plan, a £2.1 billion, 20-year capital scheme. The project includes construction of a new sports block with fitness facilities, a community room, additional sports pitches, and an expanded support needs base, alongside demolition of outdated structures no longer suitable for educational use.
The original section of Inverness High School opened in 1937 and showcases art deco architecture, a design movement characterised by sleek lines and sharp angles that dominated the 1920s and 1930s. Extensions were added during subsequent decades, notably in the 1970s. Highland Council completed a substantial renovation of the main building and classrooms approximately eight years ago, spending £14.7m on that phase of work. The new proposals represent a continuation of the authority's commitment to modernising the school's facilities.
According to Highland Council's project information, the scheme will involve demolition of current modular units, the games hall, and a vacant 1970s wing that no longer meet contemporary standards. The additional support needs base will be created within refurbished space in the current sports block rather than as a wholly separate new building. The works have been designed to protect the heritage significance of the listed art deco structure.
Parents and staff have identified several pressing facility issues requiring attention. Changing facilities have been criticised as inadequate, with the boys' showers rendered unusable. Water damage to the gym hall's ceiling has also prompted complaints from the school community about the condition of existing sports infrastructure.
Local councillor Alex Graham, whose three children attended the school, has endorsed the planned investment.
It will make quite a difference in terms of the sports usage and ASN provision,said the Inverness West Scottish Liberal Democrat councillor, who anticipated the overall cost could exceed £20m.
Education Committee chairman John Finlayson described the project as a significant milestone for the school and community.
It is great to reach this important milestone and I look forward to seeing work commence on site next year,he said.
Ogilvie Construction has been selected as the preferred main contractor for the scheme. According to the council's project page, construction is scheduled to begin in 2027 and be completed by 2030.
The school currently serves 483 pupils against a planning capacity of 677, representing 71% occupancy as of September 2025, according to Highland Council's learning estate update. An inspection report from Education Scotland in February 2026 indicated the school requires additional support and further time to implement necessary improvements.
Community Engagement and Next Steps
Highland Council is holding drop-in consultation events during October and November to gather feedback from parents, staff, and the wider community before submitting a planning application. A public meeting is scheduled for the week commencing 24 August 2026, with the consultation period closing on Friday 2 October 2026 at 5.00pm. Any proposal approved by the Education Committee must subsequently be confirmed by the full Highland Council, with a meeting currently planned for September 2026.
Funding and Strategic Context
The investment forms part of Highland Council's broader capital programme approved in March 2025. The Highland Investment Plan is funded through capital investment plus a dedicated annual allocation of 2% ring-fenced council tax revenue, making Inverness High School one of the first projects to receive a preferred contractor appointment under this strategic initiative.
The school's modernisation reflects wider investment in Inverness's infrastructure. In February 2026, Inverness Castle reopened following a £47m renovation, establishing itself as a major visitor attraction with interactive Highland history experiences and drawing approximately 450,000 visitors annually.
Key Facts
- Original building opened in 1937 with distinctive art deco architecture; extensions added in subsequent decades including the 1970s
- Previous £14.7m renovation of main building and classrooms completed approximately eight years ago
- New scheme includes sports block with fitness suite, community room, sports pitches, and expanded additional support needs base
- Ogilvie Construction appointed as preferred main contractor; construction scheduled for 2027–2030
- Project funded through Highland Council's £2.1 billion, 20-year Highland Investment Plan
