The school will have 12 classrooms and nursery accommodation when it opens in August 2022.

Chair of the Highland Council’s education committee, Cllr John Finlayson, said: “This is an exciting development for the area and for members of the community who I am sure are eagerly awaiting it’s completion. The new school will not only meet the needs of the school community but is also prepared to deliver against any future accommodation demands that may arise. Hopefully we will see the building grow and evolve alongside the local community.”

The building has been designed to allow it to be extended in a phased manner to provide up to 24 classrooms to meet the future demand from housebuilding in the catchment area.

Provost and chair of Inverness area committee, Cllr Helen Carmichael, said: “This is fantastic news for Ness Castle and Ness-Side in Inverness. The new school building will serve the housing developments in the area and will continue to accommodate and be a great asset to the community for years to come.”

Kier Construction is the principal contractor for the project which is being delivered in conjunction with the council’s in-house Property Teams.

Philip McDowell, regional director at Kier Regional Building North & Scotland, said: “We are delighted to have started work at Ness Castle Primary School.

“This project award continues our long-standing relationship with the Highland Council and we are looking forward to delivering this new school which will provide first-class educational facilities for families within this new housing development in Inverness.”

The total cost of the project is £14.8 million and is funded by the council’s capital programme.