\McLaren High
Outward Bound at Loch Eil On Monday, January 22, a party of 28 S3 pupils went to the Outward Bound Trust at Loch Eil. While we were there we were split up into three different “clans” - the McDonalds, the Camerons and the McLeans. We had to eat together in our clans and all the activities we did, we did in our clans. Over the course of the week we did a variety of different team challenges and activities. These activities included a zip wire, a wooden wall that we had to get over only using each other, canoeing, climbing and abseiling. We also did a “jog and dip” which involved us going right into the freezing cold loch even though we could see snow on the shore! There was also an activity called Tyrolean where we had to build our own zip line over a gorge with a river running at the bottom. However, because of all the snow that had melted, the river we had planned to build it over was too high - about three metres too high or maybe more - so we had to re-think our plan. We ended up doing it over a smaller river on-site but we still got loads of laughs out of it whenever someone fell over trying to get up at the end. We also had the chance to see the beautiful scenery including Glen Nevis (the place we were meant to go) where some of Braveheart was filmed. Halfway through the week we went on an expedition where we worked as a team to plan which paths we would take and we took turns reading the map as we were walking. Our group got a bit lost at one point, but eventually we reached a bothy which was where we ate and played a couple of card games. We slept in tents through all the wind, rain, snow and even thunder and lightning! Even though we were soaked through by the end of it, we enjoyed it. We managed to get through whatever challenge was thrown our way by sticking together and encouraging each other through it all. It was certainly a great experience that we will all remember for the rest of our lives. By Marley Sandy and Emma Myles S3 In-service days/holidays Parents/ carers are reminded that the school is closed to pupils next week.