Elgin Academy pupils to welcome Ukrainian friends to Moray following £5,000 grant
A special friendship between pupils in Moray and Ukraine is set for a new chapter, as Elgin Academy prepares to welcome ten Ukrainian pupils and their teacher to Scotland in May 2027.
Elgin Academy has been partnered with Hadiach Lyceum №1 in Ukraine’s Kyiv region since September 2025, through the British Council’s UK-Ukraine Schools Partnership Programme.
The school has secured a £5,000 grant from the British Council to support the four-day visit, giving pupils the chance to meet face-to-face after months of exchanging letters, sharing stories and learning about each other's lives.
Pupils at Elgin Academy are looking forward to showing their Ukrainian friends around Moray, with plans including a trip further afield to Loch Ness as well as local highlights like Elgin Cathedral and the Biblical Garden, and a picnic in Cooper Park.
They will spend time together at Elgin Academy, taking part in classroom activities and a special Reading Café with the school welcoming other Ukrainian families living locally to the event too.
To make the visit even more special, pupils will choose books as personal gifts for their Ukrainian friends, based on what they've learned about their interests. Books will be sent back to Ukraine for pupils who are unable to travel, so they can be part of the experience too.
With flights booked and preparations underway, S2 pupils at Elgin Academy are getting ready to begin fundraising to help give their Ukrainian visitors a warm Scottish welcome.
The first fundraiser takes place at Elgin Academy on Thursday 3 December 2026, from 10.30am to 3.30pm and 5pm to 8pm, where pupils will sell handmade crochet sunflower scrunchies, bookmarks and other crafts. The event is open to the whole community, and nearby residents are encouraged to come along and show their support.
Cllr 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.”
Neil Johnson, Head Teacher at Elgin Academy, 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."