More than a third of all schools in the Highlands have been rated as being in poor condition amid fears rural schools are being “left to rot”.
The Scottish Government’s 2025 school estate statistics, released today, show a staggering 53 primaries across the Highlands are currently rated poor – over 30 more than any other council area in the country.
The closest to the Highlands is in North Lanarkshire where 23 schools have been given a poor rating, while the Borders has 21.
Out of the 29 secondaries in the Highlands, 11 are in poor condition.
In total, 34% of all schools in the Highlands are in a state of disrepair.
Scottish Conservative Highlands and Islands MSP, and rural affairs spokesman, Tim Eagle, said: “These alarming figures expose the postcode lottery that exists across Scotland’s school estate.
“Under the SNP’s watch, they have abandoned rural Scotland, leaving schools in the Highlands to rot as council funding continues to shrink.
“No child should be learning in a school that is in a poor condition, but that is the shameful reality for people living in the Highlands and other parts of rural Scotland.
“Rural students and schools deserve the same attention, resources, and funding from the Scottish Government as those in urban areas.
“SNP ministers must get on top of this issue as a matter of urgency and provide sufficient resources to ensure pupils and staff will always be learning in schools that are wholly fit for purpose.”
