Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

PICTURES: Take a look around historic Perth school transformed in £5 million housing plan

The converted Caledonian Road School, Perth.
The converted Caledonian Road School, Perth.

A £5 million regeneration project has breathed new life into an historic Perth school.

The landmark Caledonian Road building is re-opening its doors as social housing, nearly a decade after lessons ended.

But strict health and safety rules have meant the school’s iconic atrium — including a central stairwell where boys and girls marched to and from class — has had to be sealed off.

Former Caledonian Road School in Perth converted to flats to be let by Caledonia Housing Association.
Interior view of the central staircase within the former school.

The double stair has been restored as part of the re-fit, but it will be kept behind a glass wall, made only accessible on special occasions.

The Caledonia Housing Association (CHA) took over the school shortly after it was closed to pupils in October 2010.

Bosses have now unveiled the results of their large-scale conversion, creating 24 affordable flats.

The exterior of the Victorian-era red sandstone building has been kept intact. Inside, the old classrooms have been converted into one and two-bedroom flats, with lowered ceilings and raised floors.

Caledonia Housing Association Flats, Former Caledonian Road School, Caledonian Road, Perth.

The main atrium features an attractive twin set of stairs, designed to separate the girls and boys. There were male and female entrance doors at opposite sides of the building.

CHA officer Steve Johnston, who led tours of the new flats, explained that because the stairs are made of timber they didn’t meet strict fire safety guidelines. The steps were also too wide and it would cost too much to bring them up to standard.

However, the hall could be opened as part of guided tours, he said.

A new stairwell has been built to allow access all three levels.

The regeneration project also involves a new block of 21 flats in the former playground, and six more properties at an annex building which once housed the school’s gym, cafeteria and after-school club.

The new build flats next to the former school.
General view from one of the new flats within the former school

Association chairman David Grant said: “We are delighted to be able to bring this building back into use and offer high quality social housing.

“The old school is very pleasing to the eye and its great we have been able to retain it for future generations.”

He added: “This project is a key part of our strategy to create 1000 new homes by 2022.”

The new-look building has also been welcomed by former teachers who got the chance to tour the site before tenants begin moving in.

Kathleen Ogilvie, who taught P3 classes, said: “I’m really impressed with what they’ve done.

“Walking around inside brought back some memories. The flats are totally new, but the views are the same.”

The school, which opened in 1892,was designed by Andrew Heiton Jr, the man behind other significant Perth buildings in Kinnoull Terrace and George Street.