Their journey began in Fort William, where they travelled by minibus, ready to experience the untamed beauty of Knoydart. They kicked off events with a sea kayaking expedition to the remote island of Shona Beag on the western coast of Scotland quickly followed by a high impact activities phase at the Outward Bound Centre based in Loch Eil and finally ended our journey in Inverie where they completed their project phase alongside members of the local community. 

Sea Kayaking and Campfires 

The students meticulously planned their meals, ensuring they were suitably fuelled for their two-day, one-night adventure. They paddled through choppy waters, and it was hard work battling through quite variable conditions, but our students demonstrated resilience and adaptability challenging their kayaking skills and teamwork. Despite the unpredictable elements, their spirits remained high fuelled by the camaraderie of shared adventure and the goal of reaching Shona Beag. Along the way they were lucky to enjoy some close encounters with seals which really added to the magic of the journey. Upon arrival, they set up camp on the island surrounded by incredible views of the sea and then set to cooking up a feast. 

As the sun set, the team worked together to try to locate enough dry firewood to build a roaring fire on the beach which was a huge challenge. The warmth of the flames created some welcome heat and a cozy atmosphere to share stories under the cool night sky. 

Thankfully on their second day of the sea kayaking expedition they were rewarded with a blue sky and the wind behind them helping significantly to get them back to the pickup point. 

Loch Eil Outward Bound 

The second phase of the trip led the group to the Outward Bound centre in Loch Eil. Here, they faced high-impact activities designed to push them out of their comfort zones and challenge them.  

Gorge walking tested their balance and agility as they navigated rocky terrain, fast flowing water and plunge pools.  

Climbing and abseiling placed the responsibility on our students to belay and lower each other down to ensure that those climbing were always kept safe whilst under full supervision. Both activities required a good fundamental understanding of risk assessment, rope work, knot tying and communication skills as well as the highly important soft skills of encouragement and supporting one another to ensure each team member reached their full potential. 

Teamwork and Triumph 

Back at the centre, more activities awaited with a zip wire through the tree canopy and a ‘mixed bag team challenge’ which required collaboration, creativity, and communication and the ability to work to a deadline or else incur penalties. Students tackled puzzles, physical tasks, and problem-solving exercises. Their efforts paid off—they achieved maximum points, proving their ability to work together efficiently and effectively. 

The Project Phase: Leaving a Legacy 

After the adrenaline fuelled time spent at Loch Eil our team embarked on the final leg of their Knoydart adventure—a twelve-kilometre trek to catch the ferry from Tarbet. Their destination? The quaint village of Inverie, accessible only by foot or boat.  

Upon reaching Inverie, the students settled into the Knoydart bunkhouse which would be their base for the night. There, they were greeted with home-cooked lasagna, garlic bread, fresh salad, and an array of cakes provided by one of the locals.  

Exploring the Peninsula 

After supper, the students explored the peninsula with a tour of the projects undertaken on previous Frensham Heights trips. Over five years of collaboration with the local community, our Frensham students and staff really have left their mark. In 2018, Year 9 students built an otter hide; in 2019, they crafted a giant draughts board which our Year 12’s enjoyed playing a game on this year. After the events of the pandemic our Year 12s returned in 2022 to construct beachside picnic benches and tables as well as fire pit areas much loved and well used by all who visit. And in 2023, the team erected a massive woodshed for the beachside campsite ensuring dry wood to burn is always plentiful. 

Irish Snap and Campfires 

Back at base, the students engaged in an intense game of Irish snap which brought out a fierce competitiveness amongst the team ending in a lot of hilarity and sore hands. The evening was rounded off with a beach campfire, toasting marshmallows and sharing stories and I was thrilled to see the majority of the team opting to camp on the beach despite having the option of a bed for the night in the bunkhouse. 

Repairing the Polytunnel 

The following morning, the community garden awaited. Their project: repairing a polytunnel—a vital structure for sheltering crops from the elements to provide food for the community. Shoulder to shoulder, the team worked tirelessly alongside four members of the community to rebuild and recover the polytunnel which I’m pleased to say was successfully achieved. 

Locals’ Appreciation 

The tight-knit teamwork didn’t go unnoticed. Locals praised their dedication with a few locals and a former headteacher taking the time to visit “he Forge, Knoydart’s most remote pub, where we were enjoying supper, to express gratitude for our efforts not just for this year's hard work but for all our previous efforts put in over the years.  

Whilst at The Forge we encountered a familiar face—a former Frensham student who had journeyed to Knoydart twice before on school trips once as a Year 9 and again as a Year 12 student. Inspired by his experiences during his time there with Frensham, he now works full time as a ranger and deer stalker and has planted over 46,000 trees using his time to champion biodiversity.   

The school is partnered with the Knoydart Forest Rangers. They plant trees on the school’s behalf to carbon offset the trips that the school carries out. We typically send them about £4000 twice a year to plant native species trees so to see a former student carrying out this work is truly fantastic. 

Celebrating Achievements 

As the expedition ended, we gathered in the village hall for a celebration of achievements. In an Outdoor Ed tradition, each person delivered a Secret Sherpa—a short speech about a randomly chosen team member and how they had impressed them over the week. Gifts exchanged, they revelled in their accomplishments, knowing they had left an indelible mark on Knoydart. 

Farewell on the Beach 

The final night was spent camping on the beach in arduous conditions with the wind kicking up and the rain coming in. After an early wake up to strike camp we boarded the ferry back to Mallaig to then take on the final challenge of the 13-hour drive back to Frensham.  

Conclusion 

The Knoydart trip left an unforgettable mark on our Year 12 students. They learned a lot of new skills, discovered and demonstrated huge amounts of resilience, forged lasting friendships, and got to revel in the raw beauty of Scotland’s wilderness. It was a privilege to take such a fantastic group of students and staff away to a place that I hold very close to my heart and I’m already very much looking forward to seeing what next year's trip will bring.