Elgin High School shut its doors for the last time at the weekend after cries of “en garde”.
The closure of the school was marked by a fencing tournament in which 80 people took part.
People travelled from as far away as Shetland and London for the two-day event and competed for the Highland Open men’s and women’s foil, epee and sabre titles. It was the last event to be staged in the building.
When pupils return from the October holidays they will be going to a brand new secondary school.
Robin Paterson, head coach at the Elgin Duellist Fencing Club, said he hoped the finale had risen to the occasion.
He added: “It was hopefully a fitting goodbye for a place that has served the club well as its weekly training venue and as an excellent venue for this two-day competition.”
He was also full of praise for the participants.
“In particular, the calibre of the men’s epee on Saturday was exceptionally high.
“We were delighted to welcome Artur Markov from Dunblane Fencing Club who previously fenced for the Latvian national fencing team, and Hugh Kernohan from Culloden Fencing Club who competed at the Seoul Olympics.”
“After a full day of competition, the winner of the men’s epee title on the Saturday was Scottish team member Tom Hoffmann from Dingwall and Culloden Fencing Club.
“He previously won this title in 2015.”
Mr Paterson added: “For most of our fencers, this was the first time they have had a taste of fencing at this high level and they fenced with a lot of thought and good basic technique.
“All the club coaches were delighted with the weekend’s results.”
One person who particularly enjoyed proceedings was Alex Keddie, an alumnus of the school.
The 30-year-old took part in the men’s foil and sabre categories and said afterwards: “Competing at the weekend brought back fond memories of my time as a pupil at the school.”
The event coincided with the 10-year anniversary of the establishment of the Elgin Duellist Fencing Club.
And, following this weekend’s success, it aims to host the competition again in the new school next year.
