The Secretary of State has confirmed he will continue to oppose the use of legislation on opting out to block school closure plans.
Michael Forsyth conveyed his decision in letters to the school boards of Scotsburn primary in Easter Ross, Lieurary primary in Caithness and Rockwell High in Dundee, rejecting parental ballots in favour of opting out.
Mr Forsyth had been accused of departing from Scottish Office policy after Highland Council said that approval of self-governing status for Fort William primary in December would frustrate school rationalisation plans.
