Young people all over Argyll and Bute have achieved great success in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme this year.

Five young people achieved their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, 13 attained their silver award, 49 attained their bronze award and the council organised the first learning support expedition for Argyll and Bute. In all, 45 expeditions were completed.

Chair of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Group in Argyll and Bute, Councillor Dick Walsh, said, “The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is an ongoing success story in Argyll and Bute. It encourages young people to improve existing skills and learn new ones, all in a non-competitive environment.

“Our young people are the building blocks for our communities in the future and the more varied and challenging the opportunities we give them, the more we increase their potential to be valuable citizens.

“All these young Duke of Edinburgh’s Award participants are a credit to Argyll and Bute and I wholeheartedly congratulate them on their achievements. Their experiences will enhance their life, study and employment opportunities.”

In Argyll and Bute approximately 500 young people are actively participating in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, with 216 enrolling during 2013/14. Over 50 adult volunteers gave on average three hours of their time each week.

The Argyll and Bute gold award recipients are Rebekah MacPherson, Bryony Kincaid and Patrick MacKinnon (all of Oban),  Ewan Morrison, of Lochgilphead and Alexander Barclay, of Helensburgh.

Completing a gold award takes a minimum of 12 months and involves volunteering, physical skills, expedition and residential. The five Argyll and Bute recipients were presented with their awards at Holyrood Palace on the 3 of July.

The Mid Argyll award group completed their silver award expedition in Knapdale Forest earlier this month which involved travelling an excess of 90 km on horseback over three days and camping out for two nights. Four young people who are enrolled in Help ltd, and who are receiving help with employment and life skills, achieved their bronze qualifying expedition. On Tiree, a group achieved their first bronze award expedition after they completed a two day and overnight self-sufficiency trek.