Here in the Highlands, we raise our bairns together.
Caithness and Sutherland are communities where schools, nurseries, childminders and families work closely together to support children from their earliest years right through to young adulthood.
Learning across the region follows Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence, encouraging creativity, confidence and life skills in small, friendly settings where every child is known and supported.
Local schools often sit at the heart of their villages, and community spirit shapes everything—from outdoor learning to parent‑led groups and shared facilities.
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Warm, welcoming early‑years settings can be found across Caithness and Sutherland, including local authority nurseries, partner providers and registered childminders.
Families are supported by Highland Council Early Years Officers and Education Support Officers, who help ensure high‑quality care and early learning across the region.
Types of early years provision include:
- Local authority nurseries
- Partner nurseries
- Community playgroups
- Registered childminders
- Gaelic-medium early years settings (varies by area)
Caithness and Sutherland are home to a wide range of primary schools, from village schools serving small rural communities to larger primaries in Wick, Thurso, Golspie and Dornoch.
Primary schools across the far north play a central role in community life. Children learn through the Broad General Education stage, with a strong focus on literacy, numeracy, wellbeing and outdoor learning.
Many schools offer rich outdoor learning, community involvement, and strong support for transitions into secondary school. The Highland Council provides quality‑improvement support to all schools to maintain high educational standards.
Secondary education across Caithness and Sutherland includes schools such as Wick High School, Thurso High School, Golspie High School and others serving rural communities.
Young people build on the Broad General Education through S1–S3 before progressing into the Senior Phase (S4–S6), where they can pursue National Qualifications, Highers, and vocational pathways within the Curriculum for Excellence framework.
Schools in the region benefit from subject specialists, guidance teams, and opportunities for wider achievement, from arts and sports to community and skills‑based programmes. Highland schools receive ongoing support through the area’s Quality Improvement Team to ensure positive outcomes for learners.
The Highlands has its own university! Further and Higher education in Caithness and Sutherland is mainly delivered by the University of the Highlands and Islands, North, West and Hebrides (UHINWH).
UHINWH offers a broad selection of academic and vocational programmes, ranging from access courses, CPD to degree-level study, along with research opportunities. A variety of flexible learning options are available, including full-time, part-time, and online study. Being able to study near home is a great option for many.
As part of the Thurso campus, the Environmental Research Institute also provides access to undergraduate degree-level study, Master’s and PhD research opportunities.
Across the North Highlands, there are lots of parent- and community-led groups offering playful, social sessions for young children.
From walking groups and outdoor adventures to music and sensory classes, there’s something for everyone! These relaxed, welcoming sessions are a wonderful way to support your child’s early development, and a great chance for parents and carers to connect, share experiences, and feel part of the local community.
You can find out more and stay connected through social media, local libraries, and leisure centres.
Help with Costs
Costs for private childcare in the North Highlands are often more affordable than in Scotland’s cities, and that’s another great reason families are choosing to make the move north.
Families can access several forms of financial support, including:
- Funded Early Learning & Childcare hours
- School clothing grants
- Free school meal entitlements (means‑tested)
- Education Maintenance Allowance for older pupils
Free school lunches – no thanks! I mean yes please!
All children who are eligible for funded early learning and childcare can get a free meal on the days they attend. This can be either breakfast or lunch.
All children in primary school from P1 to P5 are eligible for free school lunch during term time. The menu is varied and can accommodate all allergies. Many schools are nut-free schools to ensure they are a safe environment for those with a serious allergy. Some schools also run breakfast clubs, making being a working parent just that bit easier!
Parents or carers who receive certain benefits may also be eligible for free school meals for children in other school years, as well as school clothing grants and holiday food payments.
Strong roots, bright futures – that’s what growing up in Caithness and Sutherland is all about.
