This article appears as part of the Lessons to Learn newsletter.

After years of conflict and controversy, campaigners on the Isle of Mull are hoping that progress has finally been made towards a resolution to the Mull school saga, which The Herald has covered extensively for more than 18 months.

The council wants to build a badly-needed new school, but is planning to construct it in Tobermory, close to the current location. This seems reasonable at first glance, but the authority’s own engagement work found that the most popular option among actual islanders is for something different.

Campaigners have called for a new approach that would split the current school – which includes a nursery, primary and secondary – into two: the nursery and primary would stay in Tobermory, with the secondary to be located in a more central location such as Craignure.

Why? Because right now, in 2026, the existing arrangements mean some children in the south of the island must leave their families during the school week. Instead of staying at home during their secondary education, these children – some as young as 11 – are forced to stay in a state-run hostel in Oban and go to school there.

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