New homes for teachers at island's five-pupil school

Highland Council is set to build new homes for staff who work at a five-pupil primary school on Rum.

The island, the largest of the Small Isles south of Skye, has a population of about 40 people.

The local authority already provides staff accommodation - a temporary static caravan - but wants to improve this.

It now has full planning permission to build a three-bedroom detached house for the head teacher, and a one-bedroom "studio pod" for another member of staff.

The site is in Rum's community of Kinloch, on the island's east coast.

The architects' design statement said: "Accommodation for the staff of Rum Primary School currently comprises of a temporary static caravan situated adjacent to the existing school.

"Highland Council now seeks a more permanent solution for school staff on the island.

"It is recognised that efforts to improve the current quality of living accommodation for key school staff would prove beneficial for the island."

The primary has five pupils, according to the latest Highland Council school rolls.

The architects said the properties would be "sensitive" to their "unique island setting".

The statement added: "Much consideration has been given to the materials, design and construction of the homes to ensure that the building sits cohesively within its environment."

Highland Council plans extend its use of the static caravan until the new homes are built.

The other islands in the Small Isles include Eigg, Canna and Muck.

Most people reach Rum by ferry from Mallaig on the Highland mainland.

The island's historic, derelict and publicly-owned Kinloch Castle was put up for sale in May after a previous potential sale collapsed.

The former hunting lodge is owned by Scottish government agency NatureScot.

Highland Council has wider plans to increase the availability of housing in its region.

Last year, the authority said its area needed an extra 24,000 houses over the next 10 years to address a long-standing shortage of affordable homes.

It said about £2.8bn of extra investment was needed to accelerate the construction programme.