Prep School Hockey and Rugby Edinburgh Tour

At the end of the Michaelmas half term, 46 Upper Prep Hockey and Rugby players ventured up to a surprisingly sunny Edinburgh!

The five day tour was jam packed with fixtures, internationally led training sessions and exciting activities.

Day 1 started early. After a quick squad photo in front of the Chapel under beautiful blue skies, we ventured to Bristol airport and made the short flight up to Scotland.

Day 2 began with a training session at Murrayfield Stadium for the rugby teams, with the hockey teams joining for lunch and a full stadium tour. Fixtures followed in the afternoon with matches against Inverleith Hockey Club and Boroughmuir Rugby Club. The U13 hockey had a tricky game, but the U12 came away with a win. The rugby teams played great rugby, having to adapt to new rules but coped extremely well.

Day 3 we enjoyed a somewhat damp tour of the key tourist stops in central Edinburgh. Our tour guide George battled the rain and provided a whistle stop tour of the castle, leaving plenty of time to explore the Chapel, Prisons of War, Great Hall, and to view the Scottish Crown Jewels and Stone of Destiny. We marched down Castle Hill to the Royal mile, stopping at St Giles’ Cathedral to pay our respects where Queen Elizabeth II lay in state in September. We continued down the winding Edinburgh streets to the Dungeons. It was a frightful experience for staff and students alike, with jump scares and horrors throughout!

We then transferred cross country to Glasgow, with fixtures for all teams and a training session led by international scottish hockey player Fiona Semple. This was followed by two great matches against Hillhead Hockey Club, resulting in well fought wins against strong mixed sides. The rugby teams enjoyed a warm welcome from West of Scotland RFC, including the opportunity to process onto the pitch led by bagpipes.

Day 4 was an activity filled day. We all took the bus to Fettes College, where there were hockey matches against their winter hockey camp team, whilst the boys supported and enjoyed a tour round the beautiful campus. We then enjoyed a thrilling session of Laser Quest, displaying skills, competitiveness and serious tactics, with Mr Wood and Mr Chaffey reigning supreme over their groups. Next we enjoyed a curing taster session, learning to sweep, release and direct the stones. This was a real highlight of the trip for both staff and students.

Day 5, for our final tour fixtures the rugby teams played the North Edinburgh Vikings whilst the hockey teams played ESM Hockey club on the astro next door. Both hockey teams won after two great matches and the U13 rugby team put in a dominant performance, coming away with a great win and a scotch pie to boot after the match!

All in all, the 2022 Edinburgh tour was hugely successful. It was the first tour for most of the pupils, great fun was had and lots of memories were made. Thank you Mrs Catchpole and team for organising such a wonderful trip!

(Click on an image below to expand the gallery.)