First Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award for Ardnamurchan High School

In celebration of the Duke of Edinburgh, Diamond Anniversary, the DofE organisation is inviting people of all ages to take part in a once-in-a-lifetime DofE-inspired Diamond Challenge and raise funds to help transform young lives in local areas.

Members of the Duke of Edinburgh area staff team who were on their diamond challenge, dropped by at Ardnamurchan High School at lunchtime on 18 August, having started at Ardnamurchan light house that morning. Having made good progress, they stopped for welcome refreshments and a chat with DoE pupils at the school.

Ruby Tilling (centre/7 from right) who is the school’s first pupil to achieve the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards said: 

“I really enjoyed learning to sail in my expedition and made some really good friends as I developed my own skills.  Working towards Gold was a real challenge and I am proud of myself that I achieved it.  It was great to catch up with the DofE leadership team for the north and I look forward to meeting up with them when I go to Edinburgh to receive my award later this year.”

Elaine Jackson, who heads up DoE for the school, added:

"Ruby is the first of our Gold group to complete all five sections of the award. Ruby started her Duke of Edinburgh journey at Bronze in 2012 and over the last four years has shown great commitment, dedication and determination, having spent over 150 hours volunteering in her community at Acharacle Youth Club; worked daily on her horsemanship; developed her coaching skills and has walked through glens, kayaked the Great Glen and sailed around the sound of Mull - all with a smile. Well done Ruby."

Head Teacher, Chris Millar-Craig said:

“The Duke of Edinburgh award gives our young people a real opportunity to develop their wider skills and achievements for life and the world of work.  Well done to Ruby who kept going through a number of personal challenges, also to Emma Cameron who is hard on Ruby’s heels in achieving Gold, and to all our young people at Bronze and Silver continuing to achieve on top of their school and academic achievement.  My continuing thanks to Elaine Jackson from our Parent Council for continuing to lead this initiative.”