Thirteen young people in Culloden have completed advanced lifeguard training at Culloden Swimming Pool, earning top level certification after months of commitment.

The group were awarded Gold Stage 3 Rookie Lifeguard certificates following three terms of structured training delivered by High Life Highland.

The Rookie Lifeguard programme, developed in partnership with the Royal Life Saving Society, is aimed at children aged eight to twelve and focuses on building essential water safety and lifesaving skills.

Participants are guided through a clear pathway from Bronze to Silver and then Gold, with each stage designed to develop confidence, teamwork and leadership alongside practical rescue techniques.

Training typically runs in blocks of eight to ten weeks, allowing young people to steadily build their abilities while staying engaged through varied challenges and specialty awards.

For many involved, the programme represents more than just swimming, offering real life skills that could one day save a life.

Megan Sheldon, Leisure Supervisor at Culloden Swimming Pool said:

“A massive congratulations to all our Gold level Rookie Lifeguards.

“They worked incredibly hard and showed a great deal of resilience and commitment to the programme.”

The successful Rookie Lifeguards are Scarlett Mackenzie, Lucy Tyrer, Liana MacPhee, Rowan Mort, Cayden Chisholm, Matthew Stranraer Mull, Faith Macdonald, Olivia Szczechowiak, Tilly Johns, Kaylee Doig, Corran Morrison, Kitty Greening and Eliza Greening.

Plans are already in place to restart the programme from Bronze level next term, opening the door for a new group of young learners to begin their journey.

The continued success of the programme reflects a growing emphasis on water safety across the Highlands, where access to pools, lochs and coastlines makes these skills especially valuable.

In a further boost, High Life Highland has also achieved an ‘Excellent’ rating in its latest assurance audit carried out by the Royal Life Saving Society.

This marks the first time in over five years the organisation has reached the highest level of compliance, underlining its commitment to improving standards and delivering quality training across the region.

It is a quiet but powerful story of young people stepping up, learning vital skills and showing that with the right support, confidence can grow quickly.

In communities surrounded by water, that matters more than most.