Mull Campus: local opinions clear after survey

There were two options given for the split-site, one seeing a high school only built centrally and another seeing a joint campus built centrally, but with the option of also having a primary school and an ELC (Early Learning Centre) in Tobermory. 

The other options were for a single 2-18 campus in Tobermory or an unspecified central location. 

Respondents hold a widely negative view on the decision to pursue a 2-18 campus, with a -49 approval rating.

Combined, the split-site options were preferred by almost two thirds (63 per cent) of respondents. 

The second most popular outcome was a single Tobermory Campus, with over a quarter (29 per cent) of respondents supporting it. 

The least popular option, with just eight per cent of the vote, was to have a central campus and no primary school or ELC in Tobermory. 

Mull would prefer its high school to be central, with 76 per cent of respondents saying they would like the option explored further, but is not willing to give up Tobermory’s primary and ELC education to do so. 

This outcome was previously indicated to be the case at Argyll and Bute Council’s community engagement sessions, but not confirmed. 

The survey also found that a split-site is the only option which would not lead any major population group to consider leaving the island.  

Council release site recommendations

The survey results coincided with Argyll and Bute Council’s decision to release its Site Recommendation Report early, to give councillors more time to properly consider the options. 

Four options were shortlisted: the existing Tobermory School, Craignure adjacent to the hospital, Garmony and southern Tobermory. 

Garmony is not recommended for further consideration as it performed by far the worst in the council’s scoring.

The report concluded that southern Tobermory is the best suited site, followed by Craignure and then the current school location. 

The Tobermory sites’ main advantages were based on deliverability and travel times, whereas Craignure secured the best scores for equity and community impact.

The council’s administration will introduce a motion at the full council meeting on February 27 to request that the Mull Campus decision be moved a special meeting on March 7. 

Argyll and Bute Council Leader, Councillor Jim Lynch said: “It is this vital local input that has allowed us to progress to the site selection stage which we now bring before the community and the full council for decision.

“We promised the people of Argyll and Bute to work hard to repair public trust in the council and it is with this in mind that we have issued the meeting papers early, so that the people of Mull and opposition councillors can have adequate time to scrutinise them and represent their views to elected members ahead of a formal decision being taken.”

Oban, Lorn and The Isles Area Committee Chairperson, Councillor Julie McKenzie added: "The people of Mull know better than anyone what is best for their island and it is our role as elected members to work with them to ensure that collectively we get the Mull Campus Project right for them and the generations to come.

“We absolutely have to be led by the local community on this and we will do our level best to provide an outcome that delivers.”