Bairns at Monymusk take a trip to London and meet the Prime Minister

Pupils at an Inverurie primary school who wrote their own adventure book have taken an adventure of their own - and met the Prime Minister.

The P1-3 pupils at Monymusk Primary School last year published their book Jock’s Daunder Roon Monymusk.

Headteacher at the school Jill Moir, who was joined by Aberdeenshire Council Director of Education Laurence Findlay on the trip, said: “We had a visit last year from our local MP Andrew Bowie who had heard about our book and following his visit he got back in touch with us with an invitation for us to showcase our book in Westminster.

“The children had an amazing time with a tour around the House of Commons and House of Lords, a look inside the historic Westminster Hall, reading from our book and even meeting the Prime Minister who took the time to talk to the children about their book and take photographs.

“All of our pupils have come back to school with an amazing story to tell and we were just so thrilled to be able to make such a special trip. It was such an exciting adventure for us all and an experience which we shall all remember, forever.” 

The book, both illustrated and written in Doric by the youngsters, tells the story of Jock the Giant O’Bennachie, a local legend who comes down from Bennachie to visit the village. 

Published by Doric Books, the story allows readers to join Jock the Giant as he goes around Monymusk on an adventure through the letters of the alphabet. 

Aberdeenshire Council’s Director of Education Laurence Findlay said: “This is an amazing example of pupil-led learning. What started as an outdoors phonics lesson turned into a huge journey for the school which took them all the way to Westminster and the Prime Minister’s office. 

“It was a joy to be part of this story along with the young people of Monymusk and I was thoroughly delighted that they invited me to join them on their trip to London.”

Jill added: “Doric is our local dialect, and our local language and culture is something we really want to keep alive. 
“We believe that learning all about our local heritage and culture is vitally important, to develop a passion for the language and ensure it lives on in the next generation.”