Some pupils from Milngavie Primary School got a sneak peek this week of the refurbishment going on at their school while they are decanted and having lessons elsewhere*.
Work has been taking place at the 150 year old building since June 2025 and is set to be complete in time for pupils to return in August 2026. The refurbishment includes the following improvements:
- Full roof replacement including valleys, gutters and all sky lights
- Full window replacement
- Repair/reinstatement of stonework
- Internal decoration.
Pupils and staff were joined on site by Council Leader, Gordan Low and representatives from the Council’s construction partners. They were able to see the significant improvements to the roofs of both the upper and lower school, with slating work well advanced and they got a first look at the new windows.
Internal joinery, lintel works and plasterworks are continuing and improvements to both buildings’ external stonework will be completed in the coming weeks. Scaffolding will begin to come down in the spring, giving passers-by a better view of the newly cleaned sandstone.
Arroe, a P6 pupil, said of his visit to the school, “The school felt really warm inside although it was a cold day. So the new roof and windows are doing a great job already. I really enjoyed the drone video that showed people working on the roof.”
Jackson from P2 said, “It was very exciting to see my school. I really liked the way the school was looking. The bricks were a very nice colour, they looked like new. I saw a photograph of the roof, it is nearly finished. We got to see inside the classrooms and saw everyone at work.“
Councillor Gordan Low added, “It was encouraging to see how much of the extensive refurbishment has been completed and that work is continuing apace. The pupils who visited the school with me were very excited to see the transformation of the buildings thus far and can’t wait to get back to their new-look school.
“When it is complete, the work will have vastly improved the learning and teaching environment for everyone at Milngavie Primary and it was interesting to see the progress to date.”
Neil Kemp, Operations Manager at McLaughlin & Harvey added, “It was our pleasure to welcome pupils, staff and Councillor Gordan Low to see firsthand the improvements we have already made to the school. Refurbishing a 150-year-old building of this nature requires care and attention to detail. Project Manager, Callum Moffat, and his team are working hard to preserve the school's character and ensure it is safe, refreshed and improved for the return of pupils and staff after the summer break.
* Junior pupils are being taught at St Nicholas’ Primary and senior pupils are at Torrance Primary while works goes on.
