Demolition work at a derelict Fife secondary school has begun, despite the best efforts of some winged inhabitants.
Auchmuty High School in Glenrothes, which closed its doors in June, will soon be no more after a roost of bats threatened to halt the arrival of the wrecking ball.
A group of 13 bats was found to be roosting in the former school as crews moved in to strip the building over the summer.
However, officials working on the project have confirmed that they have now been removed, with demolition of the near 60-year-old school now under way.
Colin McCredie, of Fife Council’s Building Fife’s Future programme, said: “There was a small group of bats roosting in the old school building at Auchmuty but, with the help of bat experts ensuring that no distress was caused to the group, they have been successfully moved to a nearby location.
“This has meant that the demolition has been able to proceed on schedule. Over the summer the inside of the building was stripped and any fixtures or fittings which could be reused or recycled were taken out.
“The demolition of the building has begun, which will enable us to have the new pitches in place for next summer.”
Heather McFarlane, of the Bat Conservation Trust, said the presence of bats sometimes causes delays to demolition works, although they are known to move about.
“Bats can move to a number of roosts throughout the year,” she said.
“In the summer bats need to be warm and dry and in the winter they need to be cool and at a stable temperature.
“If found in a building an ecologist’s survey is required to find out how the bats are using the building, what kind of roost it is and what species they are.”