Queen Anne High School pupils go for gold on Canadian sled expedition

A group of intrepid explorers from a Dunfermline school have scored a first for the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme in Scotland.

Pupils from Queen Anne High School have just returned from Canada where they were completing a six-day dog sledding expedition for the gold level of the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

This is the first time a dog sled expedition has been undertaken by any Scottish group.

They braved temperatures of -25C as they travelled up to 30km a day, camping in Algonquin national park, Ontario. Each night 45 dogs had to be cared for, trees felled and logs chopped for firewood, ice holes made in lakes to extract water and meals cooked over a wood stove.

Support from businesses Scotmid, Stephen’s Bakers, Asda and A J Winski Jewellers, as well as Tunnocks and Farmfoods helped with the funding, while Timbershack supplied clothing.