Merged college for west Highlands

The new college aims to widen access to further education in the region

A new college has been launched to cover some of the remotest communities in Scotland.

West Highland College is an amalgamation of Lochber College in Fort William and Skye and Wester Ross College on Skye.

It is part of the prospective University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) network.

UHI chiefs hope it will improve access to further education for people who want to live and study in the area.

The Scottish Funding Council supported the merger of the two colleges and launch of the new one.

Professor Norman Gillies, chairman of the board steering the establishment of the new college, said further changes to the provision of further education were planned.

He said: "We will increase the number of learning centres and upgrade many of those we already have.

"By doing so, we'll develop greater access to education and opportunity across our patch.''

The new college was launched at a ceremony in Gairloch.