Despite the council’s Caithness committee backing the £7.5m repair plan, the full council this week voted to demolish Block A at the school due to significant structural defects.

The future of the site and the rest of the Thurso High School campus will be part of the agreed review of the council’s capital programme.

Councillor Raymond Bremner, leader of the Highland Council, said: “Today’s discussion at full council was about achieving best value outcome and fairness across the Highland Council’s education estate.

“The council has limited capital funding and only the council can authorise what that money can be spent on.

“There is already a process in place that is considering long-term options for Thurso High School. Thurso High School and others across the education estate will be discussed at a capital plan review after the council recess.”

He added: “As a Caithness member and also as leader of the Highland Council, I need to make sure that we consider the interests of all members and their communities.

“What we have agreed today doesn’t take away from local members making their views known; that was clearly done today and at the Caithness committee.

“However, the proper procedure is to allow the process of the housing and property committee to fully scope the long-term options and the overall cost to the capital plan.”