For the first time in its 86-year history, Robert Gordon’s College in Aberdeen has celebrated its annual Founder’s Day tradition in a different way.
The custom dates back to 1934 and involves a procession from the school through Schoolhill for a service at the Kirk of St Nicholas.
But when it became apparent that would not be possible this year, staff had to devise a new way of ensuring it lived on in an altered form.
The college community watched from afar this year as the event was streamed to classrooms and guests around the world online.
Former student and chairman of communications and research agency Cicero/AMO, Iain Anderson returned to Aberdeen to be the first orator.
During his speech, Mr Anderson, from the class of 1986, spoke to pupils about human spirit, kindness and bravery.
He said: “My time at Gordon’s stirred me with the restless curiosity I have to this day.
“I was a bystander in my earlier school years until Mr Duncan, former teacher of English, encouraged me to take part in debating. I listened. I was no longer a bystander in life.
“The challenges our country faces right now are immense.
“Like the servicemen and women from World War II, we now need to rebuild our country. My generation, your generation, we all have a part to play to fire up the future.
“What will you do? At school, for your family, for your friends, for Aberdeen, for the country, for the world.”
