On Saturday 29^th September, 20 pupils had the opportunity to go on a residential trip to the isle of Arran. Mr Stout and Mrs Lambeth drove a minivan each to Gretna Green after leaving school at 9:30 in the morning. Gretna Green, in the south of Scotland, where we stopped off for snacks, was the place where people ran off to in order to get married. On our short break, we had the chance to look around the centre and buy treats for the journey like Starbucks, Krispy Crème and Burger King.

Our next stop was the ferry ride from Ayrshire to Brodick in Arran.  There was a coffee shop and tuck shop on the giant boat where we could spend some of our pocket money and, with the weather being very windy, everyone enjoyed getting a new hairstyle after being out on the deck!

After a 30 minute drive, we arrived at Lochranza where we were staying for the week of freedom and paradoxically more responsibility.

The first and last night we enjoyed a night walk all wrapped up in many layers carrying our torches around Arran’s castle where we had a game of hide and seek tag. This probably wasn’t the best idea in pitch black. Luckily, we came back safe with 20 students.

Morning and nights were always exciting with a hot breakfast with loads of cereal and toast to keep us going till lunch when we were given a sandwich, crisps and biscuits. Dinner was always different with soup to start a main meal and a dessert (cheesecake was my personal favourite).

Some of the activities included, gorge walking (walking up the freezing river) and at the end of it, most of us jumped off the end of a mini cliff straight down into the water. Orienteering was when our groups of 4 had to make our way around fields and hills with a compass and sheet of paper telling us steps and bearings that would lead us to a code number. That was one of my favourite activities, surprisingly as my group didn’t do great but it was a great team activity.

Some days we had a morning activity and came back for free time and lunch in the common room which was a games room with pool tables, ping pong, vending machines and a tuck shop. There was also a movie room down the corridor where we all sat down every night to watch a film. They were  Means Girls, Grease, The Wedding Singer and 50 First Dates along with the boys’ Marvel movies!

Everyone would agree that they took a lot from the experience and will never forget the visit.

Leila 8HC