Craig Mathieson, the Royal Scottish Geographical Society’s explorer-in-residence, set up the Polar Academy for pupils he terms “invisible” – often shy and lacking in confidence rather than high-achievers, sports stars or disruptive ones. He was one of these “forgotten” pupils in the middle himself, he said.
The 10, who are from Coltness High and St Aidan’s High in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, are likely to ski on sea ice, meet Inuit people in hunting villages, and see Arctic foxes as they camp out under the Northern Lights. They will also have to drag 35kg of gear across the ice.
They were picked from an initial 19 who attended two selection weekends at Glenmore Lodge outdoor centre near Aviemore. The remaining nine will still undergo training so that they can replace anyone who drops out, and they will remain active members of the Polar Academy.
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