Adventures in Arran

The high winds and storms didn’t stop the intrepid group of Pipers Corner AS Level geographers visiting the Isle of Arran at the weekend.  The girls set off early on Friday morning, making their way to Lochranza via, plane, train, bus and ferry.

The field trip enabled the girls to immerse themselves in all aspects of the AS Geography course, covering rivers, coasts, cold environments, rural settlements, tourism and urban areas.  The Isle of Arran and nearby Glasgow was a perfect choice as the area provided access to a wealth of fantastic examples of the different environments.

During their trip the girls studied the negative impacts of tourism on the area, such as footpath erosion and potential issues of congestion around the main “honey pot” areas, as well as the positive impacts such as the growth of small businesses like cafes and shops.  They observed the impacts of glaciation in the Glen Rosa valley with perfect viewing of coastal landforms, features and management processes.  The group also had a good opportunity to see the impact of the decline of rural settlements by visiting many abandoned properties, as well as experiencing first-hand the problems of living in such a remote area with the cancellation of four ferry crossings on their way home due to storm Imogen.  One bonus of the changes in their travel arrangements was the extra time they were able to spend in Glasgow, which facilitated a discussion of the urban nature of the city.

Head of Geography, Mrs Collins said, “The trip was a truly amazing experience. Despite the delays and seasonal weather, the girls were fantastic and they learnt a lot in the two days. It provided a valuable opportunity for them to see all the geographical elements of the AS course and experience remote and rural landscapes for real.”

For more information contact:

Rebecca Conroy, Senior Marketing Executive, Pipers Corner School. Telephone 01494 719850 or email [email protected] | www.facebook.com/PipersCornerSchool | @PipersCornerSch