Severe weather update - Highland Council - 5.30pm 12 January 2015

12th January 2015


Two Highland Council roads and 12 schools remain closed or affected today (Monday 12 January) following the severe weather.

Newhall Bridge B9163 on the Black Isle is closed until further notice, due to structural damage. Struie Hill Road B9176 remains closed due to fallen trees.

Twelve Highland schools and nurseries were closed today due to loss of power, heating, or damage to property affecting some 1,057 pupils:

· Banavie Primary and Nursery (no water/heating/power)

· Brora Primary and Nursery (damage to school building)

· Canisbay Primary and Nursery (no water/heating/power)

· Crossroads Primary (no water/heating/power)

· Farr High and Primary (Sutherland) (bad weather)

· Kyleakin Primary and Nursery (damage to school building)

· Kyleakin Primary Nursery (damage to school building)

· Mallaig Primary and Nurseries (English Medium and Gaelic Medium) (damage to school building)

· Melvich Primary and Nursery (bad weather)

· Portree Primary (no water/heating/power)

· Pulteneytown Primary and Academy Nursery (no water/heating/power)

· Rogart Primary and Nursery (no water/heating/power)


The Black Isle Education Centre was also closed due to no water/heating/power.

Kyleakin School is closed due to storm damage and will remain closed until repairs have been carried out and the building made safe. Arrangements have been put in place for pupils to be transported to Kyle Primary. School transport will collect children at Kyleakin Village Hall and deliver them to the same location, at the end of the day. There has been extensive damage to the large sections of the roof. The building is currently wind and water tight, on a temporary basis, to avoid further damage. At present, there is no estimated return date for pupils and staff.

Parents and carers are advised to check the council's school closures website www.highland.gov.uk/schoolclosures after 7am in the morning and the school closures phone line on 0800 564 2272 using the PIN number for their school (which is also available at http://www.highland.gov.uk/schoolclosures) for further information updates.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

28/8/2026 : Local Authority

Council Funded Advice services assist 25,000 customers and exceed £30.3 million in financial gains

Almost 25,000 customers were assisted by the Council’s Welfare Support Team and Citizens Advice during 2025/26 for support with welfare, debt and housing issues.   As a result, financial gains for clients exceeded £30.3 million, representing a £18.84 return for every £1 allocated to these services by the Council.  

28/8/2026 : Local Authority

 
Do We Need a New Kind of Cemetery? Could Highland's Greenspaces Help Make Funerals More Affordable?

There may be no more appropriate time to ask Highland Council whether we need to rethink the way we remember those who have died.   The Council has just launched a six-week consultation on its draft Greenspace Biodiversity Management Strategy 2026-2030.  

26/8/2026 : Local Authority

The Triple Squeeze: Energy, Mortgages and Council Tax — How Much More Can Households Take?

There is a point at which individual increases in household costs stop being individual problems and become something much bigger.   A £100 increase in the annual energy bill may be manageable.  

24/8/2026 : Local Authority

Thurso Schools: Public Meeting and Statutory Consultation – Key Dates

Highland Council has now formally launched its statutory consultation on proposals to replace Thurso High School and reorganise primary school provision in the town.   The consultation concerns the proposed relocation of Thurso High School, Pennyland Primary School and Miller Academy Primary School to a new education campus based around the existing Thurso High School site and the proposed Community Point of Delivery.  

21/8/2026 : Local Authority

Public consultation to help shape future policy protecting Highland's dark skies

Councillors have approved the launch of a public consultation on draft guidance aimed at reducing light pollution across the Highlands, supporting environmental protection, public wellbeing and the area's internationally recognised dark skies.   Members of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee yesterday (Thursday 20 August) agreed to publish the draft Reducing Light Pollution: Good Practice Guidance for consultation, once minor clarifications are included, giving residents, communities, businesses and developers the opportunity to help shape future policy.  

21/8/2026 : Local Authority

Highland bus service improvement plans

The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee has endorsed plans to launch a 12-week public consultation on a proposed Highland Bus Service Improvement Partnership (BSIP), giving communities, passengers and stakeholders the opportunity to help shape the future of bus services across the region.   The consultation will seek views on draft proposals developed by The Highland Council in partnership with HITRANS and bus operators to improve the operational performance, accessibility, attractiveness and consistency of bus services across Highland.  

19/8/2026 : Local Authority

Demand for social housing remains high across Highland Butit is part of a biggr Scottish Problem

Demand for social housing across the Highlands remains high, with almost 8,826 households on the Highland Housing Register (HHR).   Housing and Property Committee Chair, Cllr Glynis Campbell Sinclair, said: “The demand for social housing across Highland remains significant and continues to outstrip the number of homes available in many areas.  

19/8/2026 : Local Authority

Highland Council to consider Draft Visitor Levy Scheme at Special Meeting

A special meeting of The Highland Council will take place Tuesday 25 August 2026 to consider a draft Visitor Levy proposal.   No decision is being sought at this stage on whether a Visitor Levy should be introduced in the Highlands.  

11/8/2026 : Local Authority

 
Nature Restoration Fund Community Grants Programme opens for applications

Community groups, charities, public sector bodies and other eligible organisations across Highland are being encouraged to apply for funding through the 2026/27 Highland Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) Community Grants Programme, which opens for applications on Friday 14 August 2026.   Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis, with grants available from £2,000 to £25,000 for capital projects that help restore nature, safeguard wildlife and address biodiversity loss.  

7/8/2026 : Local Authority

Convener welcomes funding to support Cairngorms businesses

The Scottish Government has confirmed a £3 million fund to support businesses affected by the Cairngorms wildfire.   The funding package was announced today by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Tourism, Stephen Flynn, during a visit to Glenmore.