Demolition work started on Tuesday to bring down buildings on the site of the former Menzieshill High School.
Heavy machinery was spotted entering the site of the abandoned school early on Tuesday morning, which the city’s councillors voted to close after the school roll fell below 500 pupils.
Bathgate demolition company Dem Master Demolition Ltd were awarded the contract to tear down the buildings late last year, after securing the tender with an offer to carry out the work for £547,431.
The school was closed at the end of the last school year, despite widespread opposition from local community and parent groups.
Menzieshill pupils were moved to the newly refurbished Harris Academy, taking up their places at the school at the start of the current school year last August.
Former pupils of the school set up a social media page, celebrating Menzieshill High’s history and offering people the chance to share their memories of their time there.
The Facebook page was set up by TV camera man and director – and former Menzieshill pupil – Mike Hughes, who wanted to document the schools closing.
Mike also plans on releasing a film showing the final days of the school, featuring footage of final tours and interviews with former staff and pupils.
After the demolition machinery had rolled in on Tuesday, former staff and pupils took to the Facebook page to say their farewells.
One message read: “So sad to see the heart of our community pulled down. I worked there for 17 years and have seen many a pupil grow up and achieve great things .
“Not necessarily academically, many with special needs and physical disabilities who turned out to be well rounded decent people.
“Menzieshill High School was one of the first Dundee schools to open their doors to the integration of pupils with disabilities and was an enormous success.
“This resulted in other schools doing the same. I was privileged to work with these pupils .”
Others took to the page to say how sad they were to finally see the school go, and that a school is still much needed in the area.
Opened in 1971, Menzieshill High was one of Dundee’s first comprehensive schools.
The Yarrow Terrace school educated more than 90,000 pupils during its 45 year history.
