A Scottish school aims to be the first in Europe to visit the Canadian Arctic - but how to finance the trip?
A group of pupils from Fortrose Academy have done more than most to get to know their friends from abroad.
As well as being twinned with schools in Malawi, Poland, Italy and France, the Scottish school has also found a twin in Qirtaq High School in the Canadian Arctic through a project called Arctic Voice.
Inspired by a talk from arctic explorer Stephen Doughty, a group of fourteen 14-15 year olds decided to be the first school in Europe to visit the Canadian Arctic.
They just had one problem: the money. Parent contributions and donations from local companies did not to add up to the £32,500 needed to stage the Fortrose Arctic Exchange.
With some assistance from their fundraising leader, Meg Forrest, the exchange students found creative ways involving the whole community to help them raise the money...
The Tartan Heart Festival
Local musician Joe Gibbs hosts the Tartan Heart Festival annually at the Belladrum Estate. This year he opened the doors to The Fortrose Arctic Exchange who performed Arctic drumming at the event. The parent of one pupil even dressed up as a polar bear and offered bear hugs for cash.
Sponsored Swim
Two of the girls taking part in the Arctic Exchange swam the 1 km wide Firth River to raise money for the trip (you can see the swimmers' heads between the kayaks).
Cinema Nights
Fortrose does not have its own cinema and so every Friday night for six weeks the pupils hired the local theatre for a film nights including Mama Mia and Rocky Horror Specials.
Sponsored climb
A sponsored climb in the mountains of Skye in the West Highlands was undertaken by a member of the Arctic Exchange, pictured here climbing in the Cullins.
Sponsored Horse Ride
The community once again got together to sponsor a horse ride through the Black Isle.
After all their money-making events the Fortrose Arctic Exchange have reached their target and are due to depart for Gjoa Haven on the 18th of October. They will keep us updated on their Arctic exchange, and make sure that their community are kept up to date on the trip that everyone played a part in.
How did they do that?
Fortrose Academy in the Highlands of Scotland is twinned with Qiqirtaq High School, which is in Gjoa Haven in the Canadian Arctic with support from Arctic Voice.
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