A NEW £9.2 million Gourock primary school has opened to coincide with the centenary of Catholic education in Scotland.

St Ninian's was declared officially open by Bishop of Paisley, John Keenan, with Provost of Inverclyde, Martin Brennan, also in attendance at a special ceremony in the replacement Staffa Street building.

The state-of-the-art primary is the latest to be completed as part of Inverclyde Council's £270m schools estate programme and features 13 classrooms, a gym, dining hall, music room and a library over two storeys.

Also at the official opening were head teacher Lesley McCabe and Councillor Jim Clocherty, who is convener of education.

Wednesday's event took place on what was the 100th anniversary of the Education (Scotland) Act 1918 receiving Royal Assent on 21 November 1918 allowing the state funding of Catholic schools.

Video by Fraser Knight.