A Moray teenager who is “living his dream” by studying at Cambridge University has encouraged pupils across the region to seize the chance to be taught at Gordonstoun.
Craig Ferguson was awarded a scholarship to attend the prestigious private school in 2011, when he was 14 – and left this summer after racking up an impressive collection of A-level and GCSE results.
The 19-year-old, from Ballindalloch, has now thrown his support behind Gordonstoun’s annual drive to attract students from the Moray area.
Under the scheme, pupils who are about to enter S5 at secondary school can receive scholarships to take classes at Gordonstoun.
Successful applicants will only have to pay 10% of the ordinary fee, but bursary payments are available for any students unable to cover that cost.
Mr Ferguson, who now studies natural sciences at Cambridge, made the transition from Speyside High School to Gordonstoun.
He said: “I am now enjoying my first term at Cambridge University, making the most of the skills Gordonstoun equipped me with.
“I would encourage anyone to apply for a scholarship to Gordonstoun, I had an amazingly formative five years there and achieved my dream of going to Cambridge.”
Mr Ferguson also described how his experiences at the private school brought him out of his shell.
He had to perform his first ever solo on the bass guitar in front of the Princess Royal, became a skilled squash player and acted on stage.
The deadline for applications is this Friday, and details on how to apply are at www.gordonstoun.org.uk
Candidates who impress Gordonstoun top brass will be invited to the school for an interview and those accepted will start classes next September.
A school spokeswoman added: “Academic excellence is not the only selection criteria, we consider whether the individual will flourish at Gordonstoun.”