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PHS Reunion weekend voted a success!
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Old friendships rekindled at Friends of PHS Reunion weekend

(L to R Willie Mackinnon, Margaret Reid, Lewis Maitland, Marion Donaldson)

The PHS reunion weekend is over and the “Friends of Portree High School” have returned to normal life after what is generally considered to have been an excellent weekend.  The primary objective of raising money was achieved with the magnificent sum of over £3 ,000 raised.  This money will be used for the benefit of the current pupils of the school - to purchase equipment for extra-curricular activities not funded by the education budget.

The general consensus is that the secondary objectives of providing an opportunity for friends to be reunited, and to have a great time doing so, were also achieved.

The Dinner Dance was well supported with 115 attendees. The Cuillin Hills Hotel provided an excellent venue for the occasion and after being seated, the audience was treated to a poignant slideshow prepared by Marion Donaldson and set to the wonderfully fitting soundtrack of Ella Fitzgerald’s “Memories”. After a touching grace delivered by Brian Donaldson, a delicious meal was served with the Cuillin Hills usual quality and efficiency.

 After dinner, the main speaker, Alan Campbell of Bord na Gaidhlig  regaled us with stories of the great characters, fondly remembered and of “glory days” at PHS. John Howieson andMurdo Macsween replied on behalf of the school and the Friends. During the break in the dancing, John “ Slippy” Finlayson found yet another vocation as a highly effective auctioneer, raising £1,700 in proceeds and leaving many people wondering why on earth they needed the items they had bought.

The dancing continued until 1.00am and in the residents bar, the reminiscing and catching-up went on until the wee sma' hours.

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On Saturday morning, the sporting programme looked threatened by atrocious weather, but the nine hardy souls who ventured out to Sconser had a well-fought match, (learning a new skill of putting through puddles..) with Angus Thorburn eventually emerging victorious, beating Murdo Beaton into second place by a single point.

By the time the football match started the weather had cleared and the sun was peeping through cracks in the clouds. The Friends team was looking a little under the weather after the night before, and was soon 3-0 down and heading for a thrashing by the pupils. However, the old PHS grit shone through and the Friends team drew level. The second half was a hard-fought, but sporting affair with the Friends surprising themselves as well as the large crowd of spectators, by emerging victorious with a final score of 5-3!

As the footballers headed off to the shinty clubhouse to celebrate their victory and to watch Scotland v. Holland , the Friends ladies hockey team took on the formidable PHS girls hockey team. The Friends played well, but the PHS team was too strong, and the PHS girls won 6-5.

Scotland’s victory over Holland set the celebratory tone for the Saturday evening “on the town”. After meals in various venues in the village, the Friends descended on the Tongadale Hotel, which had hosted the photographic exhibition throughout the weekend, and where the revelry continued well into the night.

Sunday morning dawned glorious sunshine, showing Skye at its very best. Many friends made their way to the Church of Scotland where Rev. John Murdo Nicolson chose as his theme the “reunion” of Joseph and his brothers, and the bible reading was ably provided by head boy, Steven Reid.

Afterwards, tea and cakes were served in the church hall, which provided yet another opportunity for old friends to meet and yarn.

And with fond farewells, so ended a happy weekend of successful fund-raising, renewed acquaintances and rekindled friendships.

To see the gallery of photos from the reuinion weekend, click here .
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Friends of Portree High School committee would like to thank everyone who contributed to the success of the weekend – from those who travelled from far and wide to attend, to the staff of the Cuillin Hills and Tongadale Hotels, and to those who gave of their time so freely to facilitate the various events. In particular, the committee would like to thank the donors of items to the auction which helped raise such an astounding sum.

Please check out the web site for the reunion "photo gallery",  www.friendsofportreehighschool.org.uk/reunion2003 and to find out the date of the next reunion!

Moran Taing.

 www.friendsofportreehighschool.org.uk

SPORTS RESULTS

FoPHS Golf Challenge:  Winner - Angus Thorburn
Trophy kindly sponsored by Gael.net Ltd; www.gael.net
An agreement was made that this trophy will be contested for on an annual basis, whether or not a reunion is taking place that year .
All friends will be advised of the date and venue of the annual challenge via the web site.

FoPHS Football Challenge: Winner – “The Friends”
Trophy kindly sponsored by Cuillin Mortgages; www.cuillinmortgages.com
This trophy will be contested for whenever there is a match between the school and FPs/friends.

  FoPHS Hockey Challenge:  Winner - PHS
Trophy kindly sponsored by Bosville Hote; www.macleodhotels.co.uk/bosville
This trophy will be contested for whenever there is a match between the school and FPs/friends.

Acknowledgments:

We would like to express our gratitude to the following list of supporters who gave generously to the auction, provided venues and sports trophies, or supported the reunion in other ways..

Church of Scotland, Duncan Currie, Skye Jewellery, Sutherlands Garage, Dunollie Hotel, Edinbane Pottery, Terry Williams, Stein Inn, Skye Riding Centre, Skye Bridge, Vacman MacFarlane Builders, Glenmoriston Coal, Raasay Outdoor Centre, Raasay Stores, Caledonian Hotel, An Tuirean Art Centre, The Three  Chimneys Restaurant, Talisker Distillery, Spice Island, Harbro, MacLeod's Fruit, Cioch Direct, Aros, Mrs Alex MacAskill, Tommy McKenzie, Croft Comforts, Skye  Photo Centre, Stewart Ironmongers, Safeway, Jagger Butchers, Dunara, Scottish Power, Aquarius Hair Salon, Filling Station, Royal Hotel, Jansports, Isle of Skye Soap Company, Ferguson, Stewart & MacLennan, Isle of Skye Estate Agency, MacDonald Brothers, Bow & Stern, Cuillin Mortgages, Jansvans, Gus Taxis, Skyeskynes, Portree Riding Stables, Portree Coachworks, Rosedale Hotel, Old School Restaurant, Portree Coop, McIntyres Newsagents, Island Cycles, DA Macleod – Chemist, McKenzie Bakery, MacRaes Garage, Skye Homes, Ardmore Wines, West Highland Free Press, Gael.net Ltd, Sitekit Solutions Ltd, Bosville Hotel, Tongadale Hotel, Isle of Skye Golf Club, .