Falkirk pupils met with Duke of Edinburgh after completing Gold Award

Five Braes High School pupils attended the Palace of Holyroodhouse to celebrate their recent completion of the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE).

The pupils had the unique chance to meet The Duke of Edinburgh and reflect on their journey to completing the Gold Award as a group.

Pupils from Braes High School in Falkirk attended a special celebration at the Palace of Holyroodhouse earlier this summer. The group successfully gained their Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award, the highest tier of the youth development programme, after spending three-years working towards it. (Contributed).

placeholder image — Pupils from Braes High School in Falkirk attended a special celebration at the Palace of Holyroodhouse earlier this summer. The group successfully gained their Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award, the highest tier of the youth development programme, after spending three-years working towards it. (Contributed).

The celebration was held at the Palace of Holyroodhouse Garden earlier this summer and it recognised more than 600 young people who completed their Gold DofE.

While speaking with The Duke, the Falkirk pupils went over their three-year journey they undertook as a Gold group and highlighted how weekly meetings, tricky expeditions, and volunteering opportunities helped them develop new skills, boost their confidence, and build strong friendships.

A group of pupils from Falkirk's Braes High School met with The Duke of Edinburgh while celebrating their Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. (Contributed).

The team also camped on the Isle of Arran during an expedition, which they shared with The Duke and remarked about the lack of midges.

The Duke said: “No midges is always a great thing.”

At the festival-style celebration, young people and their loved ones could enjoy giant deckchairs, bunting, and activities, as well as special touches in place to commemorate the DofE charity’s 70th anniversary.

Thousands of people attended the event and had the chance to hear from Bruce Mouat, Luke Stoltman, Gordon Buchanan, and Eunice Olumide throughout the garden.

Award-winners were applauded for their perseverance, creativity, and resilience they used to complete their Gold Awards in schools, community organisations, youth groups, and workplaces across the UK.

To be awarded a Gold DofE Award, young people spend at least 12 months training new skills and talents, organising and completing an expedition and residential, and volunteering for a cause which they are passionate about.

The DofE’s aim is to inspire young people from all walks of life to explore who they are, gain confidence, and improve on life skills.

Amiee Williams, operations officer for Falkirk at The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scotland, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome this group and celebrate their achievements.

“They represented their school exceptionally well and spoke passionately about the impact of their DofE experience. Their commitment, resilience and enthusiasm were clear to see, and they should be very proud of everything they have accomplished.”