On Saturday the 22nd July eight year 10-11 students from Manchester Academy, Abraham Moss and Our Ladys High will take part in this years Great Glen expedition, this trip involves them paddling across Scotland along the length of the Caledonian Canal. Though its called a canal its not some quiet stretch of water inhabited by narrow boats, it was built in 1847 and was designed to allow sea going vessels to cross from one side of Scotland to the other. The canal goes from Fort William to Inverness and covers 60 miles of water including three lochs, Ness, Oich and Lochy as well as providing access to a number of whitewater rivers.

Most of the students have been in a canoe only once, none of them have ever paddled this sort of distance. As well as learning how to paddle the students will have to get to grips with creating a catamarn out of their canoes which we will hoepfully be able to sail down some of the big lochs. The trip is going to be no luxury holiday as they are going to be camping  wild most nights and having to prepare and cook meals for the whole team.

The students taking part are

• James Palmer (Our Lady's)
• Thomas Robinson (Manchester Academy)
• Tyrell Henry (Manchester Academy)
• Dominic Clark (The Barlow RCHS)
• Jade Moynihan (Abraham Moss)
• Jacinta Jeffrey (Manchester Academy)
• Carly Andrews (Abraham Moss)
• Adam Graham (Wright Robinson)

There are four staff accompanying the students John, Jill and Len from the centre and Diane Metcalfe from Grange school. 

We are hoping to try some new technology on the trip as well as taking photos using our digital cameras we will be recording events on video, and reception allowing will be updating this section of the website from our smartphone.  Each evening the students will create a log of the day and upload it to this Blog allowing you the visitor to get an idea of what they are going through.

(Disclaimer we havent actually tested the reception on the canal yet so this could all go very pearshaped )

Our first update will be Saturday evening.