The Highland Council’s controversial plan to close four primary schools on Skye and replace them with a new community school, appears to have been dealt a fatal blow by a sheriff.

Education officials had advised councillors this would achieve the best and most sustainable educational provision for the north west of the island, given the small school rolls and poor condition of buildings.

But the local authority’s decision to close Edinbane, Knockbreck and Struan primaries, and build a new larger facility at Dunvegan for their combined rolls, was called in by ministers in May last year.

There was considerable parental opposition to the plans with claims that some pupils as young as four and a half, could be travelling much longer than the estimated 30 to 40 minutes council officials had estimated.

It was referred to the School Closure Review Panel for assessment. The following month the panel, in its first decision, refused to allow the Highland Council to proceed with its plans.

The local authority appealed the panel’s decision but a sheriff has now confirmed the panel’s decision.

Councillor Drew Millar, Chair of the Education, Children & Adult Services Committee said: "The council is disappointed at this decision. We have not yet had time to fully consider the written judgement, and will reflect further on these matters, once we have had an opportunity to do so. The council remains committed to providing the highest quality of education to the children of North West Skye."