'Momentous day' as new £56m school to open its doors

A new £56m secondary school in Dumfries is to open its doors to pupils on Friday.

The old Dumfries High School building - once frequented by global superstar Calvin Harris - was described as being at the "end of life" more than five years ago.

Its replacement is part of the second phase of an overhaul of all four secondary schools in the town, which first took shape more than a decade ago.

Hundreds of pupils are moving across to the new building with the old one set for demolition in due course.

Tracey Little, who chairs the education committee and is a former Dumfries High pupil, said it was a "momentous day" for the school community.

The project emerged after a failed bid to create a new "super school" in Dumfries for all the town's S4 to S6 pupils, which first emerged in 2011.

Instead, a new scheme was brought forward with plans to upgrade or replace its existing four secondaries.

The first phase started in 2016 and saw St Joseph's College upgraded and the North West Community Campus built - although the latter suffered a string of safety issues which forced its closure shortly after it opened.

A learning hub - called The Bridge - was also delivered.

Phase two, however, had to be revised in the face of financial pressures but the new Dumfries High element is now operational.

Building work started on this project in April 2024 and the school has been completed in just over two years.

The remaining elements - including the demolition of the original 1960s school and landscaping of open and green spaces - will be completed by spring next year.

The school has been equipped with fibre broadband delivered directly to the classroom and will be able to accommodate 900 pupils and 100 staff.

The community sport side of the building will be overseen by Greystone Rovers, who have had a long-standing agreement with the school.