The occasion was marked with a celebratory handover, hosted by Morgan Sindall and attended by local councillors and education officials. The event included a ribbon cutting ceremony and a tour of the new facilities.

Morgan Sindall was appointed by Moray Council to carry out the extensive extension and refurbishment of the Category A listed Gothic School, which is built of ashlar sandstone with a slate roof and dates back to 1846.

Successfully completed on budget, the five-classroom extension was built to the rear of the existing structure, and houses staffrooms, offices and quiet time and ancillary support facilities.

The energy-efficient building features solar panels, under-floor heating and air conditioning which adjust flows through the classrooms, as well as larch cladding that is coloured to blend in with the existing architecture.

The new extension will allow the school’s 200 pupils and 20 nursery children to all be taught within the same building.

Following the completion of the extension, the second phase of the project is due to begin, which will see the existing nursery school demolished during school holidays in time for the start of the new academic year in September. In its place the site team will create a new play area and outdoor amphitheatre.

Stuart Parker, managing director of Morgan Sindall in Scotland, said: “Expanding historic buildings requires a sympathetic approach and a particular skillset which many contractors simply don’t have anymore.

“Milne’s Primary is one of several listed buildings which our special works team has been commissioned to deliver. The finished project is a brilliant example of blending new with old. We’re incredibly proud to hand it over and confident it will support learning at the site for years to come.”

At the handover and ribbon-cutting ceremony, Councillor Soyna Warren said she was delighted to see the new building finished.

“It is marvellous to see this extension completed; it’s transformed the school and the provision for our young people in Fochabers,” she said.

“Building a sympathetic extension to a listed building while retaining its functionality is always a challenge, but I’m delighted to see the results. It looks fabulous and I’m sure the young people will enjoy their time in it.”