Portree High School – Calais incident

The Highland Council has confirmed today (Monday, 11 January 2016) that all pupils and adults that attended a ski trip in Italy have all safely returned.

The coach in which thirty five S2-S6 pupils and 7 adults were travelling in was caught up in an incident between Police and migrants as they approached Calais in the early hours of Sunday morning (10 January).

An outer window of double glazing on the coach was broken as it passed through the Police incident. Passengers on the coach were asleep at the time.

The incident was reported to the Police and Border Control at Calais and the coach was deemed safe to continue its journey.

Bill Alexander, Highland Council’s Director of Care and Learning said: “We were alerted to the incident yesterday and parents were informed. This was an unfortunate episode to the end of what was otherwise a very successful school ski trip. All those on the trip have returned safely.”

Portree High School, Head Teacher Catherine MacDonald added: “Everyone has returned home safe and sound from what was a fantastic ski trip with snowsports certificates under their belts. No one was injured as a result of the incident at Calais which was efficiently dealt with by our coach operator.”