Cloudy skies shed shade over partial eclipse

Around 750 pupils and 50 staff members received a pair of eclipse glasses which were also provided to P7 pupils moving up to secondary school.

To ensure everyone received their glasses before the school holidays, pairs were distributed to S3-S6 pupils during tutor support, while S1 and S2 pupils received theirs during science lessons.

Each pupil was also provided with an information sheet to help them understand how to use the glasses and view the eclipse safely.

Matthew Burke, physics teacher at Lochaber High School, said: "The eclipse is a fantastic opportunity for our pupils to experience something they might normally only learn about in the classroom, so we wanted to make sure they had the opportunity to enjoy it safely.

"As it takes place during the summer holidays, we distributed the glasses in advance to make sure every pupil had access to a pair wherever they may be viewing from.

"We are really grateful to Specsavers Fort William for helping us provide glasses for the whole school community,"

The donation also provided an opportunity to highlight the importance of protecting eyes when viewing the eclipse.

Fiona Cannon, optometry director at Specsavers Fort William, says: "A solar eclipse is an incredible sight and understandably lots of people will want to experience it, but it’s really important that this is done safely.

"Looking directly at the Sun without appropriate eye protection can cause serious damage to your eyes and ordinary sunglasses do not provide the protection required for viewing an eclipse."

While the eclipse was total, and visable in some parts of the world, viewers in Scotland could only experience it as a partial solar eclipse.

The school hopes pupils will share their experiences of viewing, or lack of it, of the eclipse when they return for the new term on Wednesday August 19.

Matthew adds: "It will be great to hear what the pupils thought of the experience when they return to school and hopefully it will spark even more interest in physics and astronomy."