A friendship that began with letters and shared stories across thousands of miles is about to become something very special, as pupils at Elgin Academy prepare to welcome ten young people from Ukraine to Moray.
The school has secured a £5,000 grant from the British Council to help bring ten Ukrainian pupils and their teacher to Scotland for a four day visit in May 2027.
Elgin Academy has been partnered with Hadiach Lyceum No 1 in Ukraine since September 2025 through the British Council’s UK Ukraine Schools Partnership Programme.
What started as an opportunity to learn about life in another country has grown into a genuine friendship between young people whose everyday experiences could hardly be more different.
Through exchanging letters, sharing stories and discovering common interests, the pupils have built connections despite the distance separating them.
Now, for the first time, they will have the chance to meet face to face.
Their Scottish hosts are already planning a programme designed to give their visitors a taste of Moray and the Highlands, with excursions to Elgin Cathedral, the Biblical Garden and Loch Ness.
A picnic in Cooper Park is also on the itinerary, alongside time spent together in classrooms at Elgin Academy.
A special Reading Café will bring the pupils together through their shared love of books, with Ukrainian families living locally also invited to join the occasion.
In a particularly thoughtful gesture, Elgin Academy pupils will choose books as personal gifts for their Ukrainian friends, drawing on what they have learned about their individual interests.
Books will also be sent to pupils unable to make the journey, ensuring those remaining in Ukraine can still share in the experience.
Flights have already been booked, and preparations are now underway to make the visit as memorable as possible.
Although the British Council grant will make an important contribution, additional fundraising is needed to meet the full cost of the trip.
Elgin Academy’s S2 pupils are preparing to play their part, beginning with a community fundraising event on Thursday 3 December 2026.
The event will run from 10.30am until 3.30pm and again from 5pm until 8pm, with pupils selling handmade crochet sunflower scrunchies, bookmarks and other crafts.
Local residents are warmly encouraged to attend and support the young people as they prepare to welcome their visitors.
Councillor Kathleen Robertson, Chair of Moray Council’s Education, Children’s and Leisure Services Committee, said:
“It’s heartwarming to see the friendship between pupils in Moray and Ukraine grow into something special.
“For these young people, the chance to visit Scotland and spend time together will mean so much, particularly given the challenges they continue to face in Ukraine.
“We look forward to giving them a warm Moray welcome and making their visit a memorable one.”
Elgin Academy Head Teacher Neil Johnson said:
“Our pupils are really excited to finally meet their Ukrainian friends in person.
“The £5,000 grant is fantastic news and will help us make this visit possible.
“The grant is only partial funding for the trip, and we would welcome any offers of financial support from the wider community.
“Our S2 pupils are now preparing to begin fundraising themselves, and we hope the wider community will get behind them to help us give our Ukrainian guests a wonderful experience in Moray.”
For the Ukrainian pupils, the visit offers an opportunity to experience Scottish hospitality, discover new places and spend time with friends they have come to know through their school partnership.
For the young people in Elgin, it is a chance to turn an international connection into lasting friendships and offer a warm welcome to visitors whose lives have been shaped by extraordinary circumstances.
And sometimes, the most meaningful friendships begin with something as simple as a letter.
