Gairloch High School provides six-year comprehensive secondary education to approximately 200 pupils living within the area bounded by Laide in the north, Kinlochewe to the east and Shieldaig to the south. The catchment area covers over 400 square miles and serves seven associated primary schools : Bualnaluib, Gairloch, Inverasdale, Kinlochewe, Poolewe, Shieldaig and Torridon.

With the support of parents and the local community, the High School was upgraded from two to four-year status in 1979. Six year status was gained in 1983, and this removed the need for West Coast pupils to transfer to Dingwall Academy in order to complete their secondary education. Six year status was accompanied by a change of name, from Achtercairn Secondary to Gairloch High School.

In August 1994, work was completed on the five million pound new school complex adjacent to the old building. The school shares the building with the library, leisure centre and community education making it a focal point for the wider community.

Gairloch Community Learning Centre operates within Gairloch High School complex. Various tutor-led courses are available and are coordinated to meet demand. The Learning Centre is set up to meet the demand from local people and therefore has variable working hours coordinated to users' needs.