The council's education, culture and sport committee unanimously approved the creation of the school after the proposal received overwhelming backing in a public consultation.

More than 100 responses to the Fort William proposal were received by the council.

A Gaelic primary school will also be built at Portree, on Skye.

The next stage in the process will be to decide on the preferred site for the standalone school prior to a bid to the Scottish Government for funding.

Around £2.5million has been made available by the government to support the creation of all-Gaelic schools and it is understood that 80 per cent of the building costs will be funded by Holyrood.

This week, local councillors hailed the decision to create Lochaber's first all-Gaelic school.

Michael Foxley, who represents Fort William and Ardnamurchan, said: "This was an historic day for the Gaelic language and culture in Lochaber. The Gaelic Medium Unit had been nurtured within Fort William RC Primary but it is now time for Gaelic Medium Primary Education to develop further in size, scope and scale.

"We have to broadcast the major benefits, both socially and economically, to being bilingual.

"Work on potential site identification should start soon."

Caol and Mallaig councillor Eddie Hunter, a member of the education committee, said: "The Gaelic Medium school is to be welcomed as a positive step to re-establishing Gaelic in the Lochaber area.

"My only concern is that we must ensure the government can come up with the necessary funding to support the council on this. To this end, we decided at the committee meeting last week that officers and the chair and vice-chair of the Gaelic committee will have discussions with the government."

Councillor Hunter added: "Gaelic was the dominant language in my family two generations ago but with the neglect of Gaelic over the last two decades hopefully this decision will contribute to the revival of the language in Lochaber.

"The parents and supporters should know that this is not the end of the campaign, just the beginning and hopefully all the hard work will be amply rewarded."

Provost Allan Henderson said: "I'm absolutely delighted, as are the Commann nam Parent Lochabair group.

"Hopefully the Scottish Government will come up with the necessary funding.

"Even looking at this away from Gaelic, it's positive news that we are going to have a brand new school in Fort William with all the benefits that brings in terms of jobs and improved facilities.

"We need to build on the number of pupils being educated through the medium of Gaelic. The current figures are static at around 70."

s.taylor@lochaber-news.co.uk

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