Cycling Project - the Kyle line
My daughter left today for two weeks of hillwalking on the West coast of Scotland. One of the unique features of my children's school is this two week period in May every year when the whole year group in S3, or the 14-15 year olds - all 230 of them - are split into small groups of about a dozen and go off into Scotland's wild places, with 3 or so teachers per group. No bookwork, no science-project-homework-on-the-side. Just physical endeavour, some of it pretty challenging. The prosaic name for this experience is 'S3 Projects'. It's based on the philosophy of the Scottish-born American environmentalist John Muir, who wrote "I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in."
Because I want to stay as close to the progress of the seasons as possible, I'm not going to post her photos when she gets back - I'll do that at the same time next year. Instead, I've got a guest photographer for the next two weeks - my son, who kept a photo record of his Project 3 years ago. This involved cycling a 450 mile circuit from Inverness up the North West coast of Scotland, along the top, and then back down to Inverness. They camped for the most part, with the occasional luxury stay in a Youth Hostel.
So here is a nameless station, on the first day of cycling. It's on the railway line from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh, the mainland terminus for the Isle of Skye. My son can't remember what the station was called, and I can't quite read the sign in the photo below. It could be Achanalt. Anyway, the group hit one of the many quiet times on the line.
(edited to add: Day 1 - Inverness to Contin, 18 miles)
Those passengers waiting on the up line (or is it the down?) get a more robust waiting room.
What a brilliant idea! If only more schools did such a thing, it must be a brilliant experience for the kids.
ReplyDeleteCool school. What a great idea. And this post's reminded me that i really need to sort out my tent. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteFantastic!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great thing to do for the kids. I would sure like to go along with them! :-)
ReplyDeleteYour blog always makes me remember the great times I had in Scotland.
I like the John Muir quote and I'm going to post it on my sidebar.
great photos, and what a fantastic idea.
ReplyDeleteTop marks to that school!
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing more of the trip. I'm trying to remember what the weather was like this time last year. I think it was good, unlike the later months. I do hope the sun shone for him.
Great project ! It's so hard to ride a bike against the wind !!!I visited Kyle of Lochalsh years ago, i was at the campsite ;) Thanks to your son for the photos ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff for the kids. My daughter (12) is about to leave on Friday for an 'outdoor' adventure weekend with her school. She can't wait. Wish I was that age again!
ReplyDeleteYes, they are lucky kids. In my day etc etc...
ReplyDeleteGennasus, the photos are from 3 years ago. They had every sort of weather over the 2 weeks. Last year however the whole Projects fortnight was sunny from start to finish, and they all had Mediterranean tans when they returned to Edinburgh. Two dry years in a row is unlikely, so my daughter is expecting some rain this year and anyway, rain is what Scotland's all about! It keeps us green...
That station looks very lonely and far out there.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great adventure. I hope to go bike touring this summer with my 14 year old son, but not quite450 miles. I also like the John Muir quote, and will place it on my site (Thanks!). I also like the 2 week period of hiking - a great way to learn and appreciate the county.
ReplyDelete