A leading construction firm has been left counting the cost after part of a historic Perthshire school came crashing down during storm-force winds.
The former Hill Primary building at Blairgowrie has been earmarked for redevelopment as part of a major new housing scheme.
Crieff-based company Corryard moved onto the site last year, after securing planning consent to turn the 19th century schoolhouse into a block of 18 flats.
Developers are reviewing the safety of the site after the ceiling above a top floor classroom caved in.
Police were deployed to throw a cordon around the site, while Corryard assess the rest of the building.
The collapse has raised fears for the state of the property, which was built in 1879. A study of the building in 2012 noted it was affected by dry rot.
Corryard Managing Director John Burke said: “Corryard are currently working on converting another building at the school and work had not started on this building.
“Due to this, none of the Corryard workforce were near the building at the time.”
He said: “The roof of this building would have been fully replaced in the course of the renovation works planned by Corryard.
“Our first priority was to meet with our engineering team on site to establish that the rest of the building was safe, both for our workforce and to ensure that no further damage will be caused before we start work on renovating the building.”
He said the first phase of apartments will be offered for sale by Savills next month.
The old school was controversially sold to Corryard by Perth and Kinross Council for £1.
It followed a seven-year campaign by the Ericht Trust to take over the building and transform it into community hub.
Trustee Jessie Shaw said: “I heard this enormous crash in the night. I thought it was maybe something falling in the garden.
“But when I looked out at the school in the morning I could see what had happened.
“Its such a terrible tragedy. The school is such an iconic building in Blairgowrie and I worry now about the rest of the roof also coming down.”
Local councillor Caroline Shiers said: “I am relieved to hear there was no one working in the area at the time which is the most important thing.
“I immediately contacted Perth and Kinross Council and also the police as it is important that the building is secure, that everything is done to ensure there is no risk to the public, and that action be taken to protect the remainder of the site.”
The Conservative councillor added: “I have had an update from council officers that all the health and safety requirements are being actioned and an assurance from Police Scotland that they will have an increased presence around the site to ensure it is kept secure.”
