Published: Wednesday, 10th March, 2010 4:29pm

Academy adventure to Outer Hebrides

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Trip into the unknown ... Academy boys head to Stornoway on Monday by bus and boat

Largs Academy's football team are set for a titantic 640 mile round trip to their Scottish Cup quarter final destination of Stornoway as they traverse by bus and boat ... and are praying for a calm crossing!

The boys team have already scooped an honour in the Ayrshire title this season and head to Stornoway on Monday morning. The boys leave the school at 9.30am on a long bus trip to Ullapool, and then get a three and a half hour ferry trip to the Outer Hebrides, arriving in Stornoway at 8.30pm.

After staying overnight at a local youth hostel to keep costs down, the Academy then play their match against Nicolson Institute on Tuesday morning for a 10.30am kick-off, and will be hoping they won't have to play too much injury time, as they are booked to return by boat to Ullapool at 1.30pm and return by bus to Largs arriving later on Tuesday evening.

The trip is estimated to cost over £1000 and the school has already received donations towards the big trip as Largs travel into unchartered territory as they head to the quarter finals for the first time in the school's history. The school received a £250 donation from Booth Welsh Automation Ltd.

The Academy team manager is Lawrence Baker who is the Pupil Welfare Officer at the school, and he is being assisted by the school nurse in Morag Souter.

Head teacher Arthur Jones said: "It is unlucky the way the draw has panned out as Stornoway have had five home ties so far and we have had five away ties. There are a few parents and one grandparents going to the match. It is going to be quite an expedition. We believe one parent is flying to the match from Glasgow Airport. For the adults, they see it as quite a big trip but the team see it as a big adventure and they can't wait for it. That is the right spirit and hopefully we can go and get a good result."

The pupils are pictured with the Ayrshire Seniors Schools trophy which they won on Monday evening.

Full match report and photos in this week's Largs and Millport News.