Schools closure plan thrown out

Protests took place after publication of the council plan

The Scottish Government has thrown out controversial plans by the Western Isles Council to close four junior secondary schools.

Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop said the proposals for Daliburgh and Paible were not "competent".

She also said there was inadequate consultation over plans to shut Lionel and Shawbost in Lewis.

However, the council believes the decision by will delay plans to build five new schools.

It added that the economy would be worse off because of the move.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar leader Angus Campbell said it was a disappointing and damaging decision at a time of extreme economic challenge - especially given government praise for the authority's plan to push ahead with its rationalisation programme.

The government gave the go-ahead to the council's proposal to close Cliasmol Primary School on Harris, where the roll has already fallen to zero.

But it refused consent for the proposals to discontinue the S1/S2 stages of education at the four schools on South Uist, North Uist and Lewis.

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