2012 Olympic Flame: with Arrochar School, Tarbet

Carol Illingham, who stayed with Arrochar School throughout the event, sent us this photo-narrative of what the experience was like from that perspective, a greeting all of its own.

This is what these children will remember for the rest of their lives – the day the world came to Tarbet.

This glorious school is in the trees on the shores of Loch Lomond, adjoining the lochside park with the entertainment for the event.

Over to Carol.

Thankfully, the weather was great – apart from the midges, which were out in force – but didn’t deter from everyone having a fantastic time.

The children lined the road with handmade torches (above), waiting to greet the Olympic Torch relay team.

The police vans/cars/motorcyles of which there were many – and  other convoy vehicles – all slowed down, tooted their horns and waved to the children, who were very excited.

Then the tempo changed, with a lot of noise from a blue open-topped bus full of folk who called to the children and it was obvious that the Flame wasn’t far away.

There were all sorts of vehicles in the procession ahead of the relay team, ons pair matching exactly the colours of the children’s torches.

And still they came, in all their variety, building expectations.

And suddenly, from behind a bus, there it was – the Olympic Torch relay team, folk closing in a bit to cheer them on.

This must be so exciting too for the torchbearer as well as all of us present at this great occasion.

This was Number 37′s moment, Billy McPate from Coatbridge, for Arrochar School.

Carol Illingworth, 9th June 2012