The children of Milton Primary School cheered when Prince Edward disembarked from a helicopter on the first stop on his tour which took him to Milton, Tain and Balintore.

His first port of call was a visit to the school, where he took time out to chat with each of the seven classes.

Head teacher Caroline Cameron said, "The whole school has been so excited about this visit and I was very proud of the way the children welcomed our guests.

"The royal visit has given everyone in the community a big boost and will be remembered for many years to come."

The Prince also met representatives from various community groups which use Milton Community House.

Hazel Bailey, community development worker said, "An incredible amount of effort has gone in to improving our community and environment and creating positive attitudes over the last 10 years.

"The Community House plays a very important role.

"It is not only the meeting place for a number of groups such as the youth group, the senior citizens lunch club and an after school group, but it hosts regular drop in sessions by the Council, NHS Highland and Northern Constabulary, giving advice on health, housing and policy issues for anyone in the community to come along to.

"The success of the project has meant we are struggling to cope in our existing premises, so I was delighted to be able to show Prince Edward plans for the proposed extension to the primary school which will enable us to expand and develop the range of services we can offer."

After listening to the children singing some catchy Scottish tunes, Prince Edward left the school and was joined by Karrie Marshall, chairperson of the Milton Community Woodland Trust, for a short walk to inspect the impressive log building and to watch a demonstration by local craftsmen.

The Prince was given a rousing welcome at Tain Golf Club by young piper Calum Ross from Tain Royal Academy.

President Forbie Urquhart escorted the royal party to the clubhouse for a buffet lunch before the Prince was introduced to 20 young people from Gairloch, Fortrose and Tain who are all taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

He took the opportunity to speak to the pupils about their projects and to see some of the displays they had produced.

Gairloch High School group is led by Andrew Johnston and has traditionally gained very high numbers of award.

Prince Edward meet Liam Ross, Neil Macleod, Jennifer Port, Roisin Summers, Sam MacKenzie, Calum Milner and Meghann Richardson.

At Fortrose Academy the award is offered at both bronze and silver levels.

Although group leader Alison Stewart was unable to attend, Kerri Jack, Joanne Shepherd, Emma Buchan, Eleanor Riggs, Stewart Thompson and Ryan Gault were able to chat to the Prince about their experiences.

Prince Edward meets local musicians at the Seaboard Playpark in Hilton. Andrew Smith

Tain Royal Academy currently offers the award at all three levels with many participants pursuing music as a skill — an activity the school is particularly renowned for.

The group has been led by teacher Fay Wilkinson for the last 10 years.

She was joined by pupils Laura Simpson, Kitty Prentice, Andrew Graham, Sam Brennan, Rory Cunningham, Katie Bremner and Calum Ross.

Prince Edward was escorted outside by Highland Council's golf manager, Willie MacKay, and the golf club's head coach Mike Sangster to watch young golfers taking part in a variety of Clubgolf activities.

Willie MacKay said, "Tain Golf Club was one of the first clubs to sign up to clubgolf and to host a stage one programme back in 2004 and have built up a very strong junior section.

"Juniors who started as primary pupils are now knocking on the doors of area and regional squads and last year Sammy Vass gained her Scottish Cap after getting selected to play for Scotland."

The golf club's commitment to the programme and the numbers of children they have introduced to golf is quite remarkable so it was very fitting for the club to host the royal visit.

The final visit of the day was to the Seaboard villages, where residents lined the street to watch the royal party arrive.

Will Aitken from the Seaboard Initiative escorted Prince Edward around the outdoor sculpture trail.

Piper Duncan MacGillivray then led the procession to the new adventure playpark, which was built to re-introduce traditional playground games to youngsters.

The Royal Party were then shown around the Seaboard Memorial Hall by Maureen Ross, chairperson of the hall committee.

During the tour, Prince Edward had the chance to admire the base of the original Hilton of Cadboll Stone before he went into the main hall to meet representatives from the various community groups.

Mrs Ross said, "I am delighted that the environmental, regeneration and voluntary efforts undertaken in the Seaboard over the last few years have been recognised and that we were given the chance to show Prince Edward all the improvements so many people in the community have worked so hard over.

"The Seaboard is a place to be proud of."

l.bradshaw@rsjournal.co.uk

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