Fife pupils have been rewarded for their achievements after a life-changing expedition to Greenland.
Ten young Arctic explorers received a prestigious Polar Academy medal at a special awards ceremony hosted by Lord Bruce at Broomhall House.
The medals were presented to the expedition team of seven girls and three boys from Lochgelly High in recognition of their courage and achievements after they completed a 14-day and 100km expedition in Eastern Greenland with the charity, The Polar Academy.
Throughout their expedition, the youngsters, aged between 14 and 17, and their head teacher Carol Ann Penrose, braved snowstorms and temperatures as low as -25C.
The team camped on sea ice and visited Inuit villages and throughout the journey each pupil was required to haul their own 45kg sled.
The Polar Academy was founded in 2013 by Craig Mathieson to inspire youths struggling with lack of confidence and low self esteem to transform their lives through exploration.
Craig, who in 2014 was named the first explorer in residence of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society in 129 years, was the expedition leader.
Paying tribute to the magnitude of the pupils’ achievements, he said: “These pupils have achieved the extraordinary by pushing themselves physically and mentally to the limit.
“Their rekindled sense of self-confidence is evident to all.
“They are more than ready to inspire others struggling with self-confidence and esteem to take that first vital step to change their lives for the better.
“Each is deserving of a rare and coveted Polar Academy Medal.”
Lord Bruce added: “The Bruce Family is delighted to be involved with a truly worthwhile cause such as The Polar Academy.
“It is a great pleasure to welcome the Lochgelly team on their safe return to Scotland and to host the awards ceremony at Broomhall House.
“Several members of my family have gone to the ends of the earth in a similar spirit of adventure.”
He mentioned James Bruce of Kinnaird who discovered the source of the Blue Nile in 1770, William Speirs Bruce who led the Scottish Antarctic Expedition between 1902 and 1904 and John Geoffrey Bruce who set a record in 1922, climbing Mount Everest to reach 27,300 feet without oxygen.
“In the Year of Young People 2018, we are delighted to support this adventurous group of Fife students, who are learning valuable leadership and life skills,” Lord Bruce said.
Like the participants of three previous expeditions, each of the pupils will now share their personal accounts with their peer groups in Fife and throughout Scotland.
