'More Trees, Please' for McLaren High School

On Wednesday, 2 March, thirty pupils and two members of staff from McLaren High School in Callander, took part in tree planting on the side of Loch Katrine.  The trees, once established, will become part of the largest stretch of native woodland in the country. 

In addition to planting hundreds of native trees, the pupils took part in two workshops based on the local environment.  The pupils listened to a talk on deer management from one of the pupil’s parents.  The tree planting and workshops fitted in well with the school’s aims within Curriculum for Excellence.

Thanks to Forestry Commission Scotland, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Rangers, Eco‐schools and all others who made this such a worthwhile and enjoyable experience.

Here are some pupil’s thoughts on the day:

On Wednesday 2 March 2011 a group of 30 of us went tree planting at Loch Katrine.

The teachers we went with were Miss Wood and Mr Clark. When we got there we were split into two groups. McLaren planted the trees first and our pupils alone planted more than a hundred trees!  After that we had lunch and free hot
chocolates, tea and coffee. Then McLaren went to the tepee with a bonfire.  After that we drew a picture of what we could see though a grid facing the Loch. Using the materials around us we coloured our pictures in. Then a lady told us to collect water. We went in and out of the trees and at the end we threw the water to rehydrate the soil, but some of us threw the water and soaked ourselves. Then we made objects out of bamboo.

By Elianna Pywell, Fiona Semple and Olivia Pearson, all S1.