Controversial plans to close four primary schools on Skye and replace them with one new community school, have been called in by Scottish ministers.
For the time being Highland Council can't proceed with its decision to shut Dunvegan, Edinbane, Knockbreck and Struan primaries in the north west of the island, and build a new larger facility at Dunvegan for their combined rolls.
The proposal is being referred to the School Closure Review Panel for assessment.
The council had agreed that with small rolls and buildings in poor condition, the most sustainable educational provision for the area would be achieved by the primaries being amalgamated in a new building in the village of Dunvegan.
However there had been considerable parental opposition with claims that some pupils as young as four and a half, could be travelling much longer than the estimated 30 to 40 minutes officials had estimated.
The decision to go out to public consultation over the closures was taken in May last year and the consultation closed in July, although it wasn't due to be considered by councillors till November.
Some local parents believed the consultation was held early to get round new regulations which came into force from August based on a presumption against closure. The council always denied this, saying that some of the new procedures had been adopted.
However Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch had written to schools minister Alasdair Allan asking him to act in the event of a closure decision by the council.
On hearing the news of the council's plans had been called in Alasdair Christie, Chair of Highland's Education, Children and Adult Services Committee said: "This is due process to ensure that there has been full and proper consultation in relation to the Act, and we welcome the opportunity to demonstrate that this has been the case. The council will co-operate fully with the School Closure Review Panel to allow a final decision to be reached. The council remains firmly of the view that there are strong educational and community benefits from the proposed new community school."
Meanwhile Highland has got the go ahead to build a new £45m school campus for Tain, in Easter Ross, which will cater for all across the three to 18 age group.
It will replace all existing education provision within Tain. Located on the existing Tain Royal Academy site it will replace the existing academy and community complex, Craighill Primary School, Knockbreck Primary School and Gaelic Nursery, St Duthus Special School and Tain Nursery.
Funding has already been allocated within the council's capital programme, and it will work with the Scottish Government and Scottish Futures Trust as part of the "Scotland's Schools for the Future" programme. A target has been set for the new campus being operational in Autumn 2018.
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