Teacher's ashes to be scattered on volcano by his pupils

Fraser Kiernan died of cancer last week at the age of 38, leaving behind a wife and two children.

The popular biology teacher was in the middle of organising a school trip to Ecuador when he died and had asked his wife, Katie, to help him make the journey.

Staff and pupils at Preston Lodge High, East Lothian, have agreed to take some of Mr Kiernan's ashes with them on their three-week adventure in the Andes.

And, in a moving tribute to the outdoor enthusiast, they will conduct a service on the slopes of Quilotoa.

Visiting the 2,500ft-high, 3km-wide flooded volcano was the part of the trip Mr Kiernan was most looking forward to.

Mr Kiernan, from Bathgate, West Lothian, had taught at the school since 2006 and was very popular.

He was the co-ordinator of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme at the school and worked tirelessly to encourage pupils to get involved.

But two months ago, as he was organising the trip to Ecuador, Mr Kiernan was taken ill. In November, he was diagnosed with cancer.

Anne Cormack, the school's administrative officer, said: "Fraser had requested that we take with us to Equador a small amount of his ashes so that, in his words, 'a wee bit of me gets there'.

"I spoke to Katie and she told me that was what he wanted and we are going to do it.

"We are going to be taking the kids up the side of the volcano and camping there. We will have some kind of service there so that he reaches the volcano – it was one of the parts of the trip he was so looking forward to."

Quilotoa is the water-filled remnant of a volcano in the Ecuadorian Andes that was blown apart in an explosion 800 years ago. The green-coloured lake is now more than 800ft deep.

Next June, 19 students and four members of staff will go on the trip Mr Kiernan organised. The school has already raised 8,000 towards the cost.

Anne added: "He had a great west coast sense of humour and always had a story to tell that remained in the memory well after the event.

"We spent many a night round a camp fire in the hills around Scotland enjoying his company," she said.

"Fraser loved the outdoors so much that he took every opportunity, along with a small group of friends who were also colleagues, to go hill-walking, camping, kayaking and canoeing," she added.

Headteacher Gavin Clark described Mr Kiernan as a man with a passion for the outdoors and getting pupils to respect each other.

"Fraser's efforts led to a wide range of students experiencing everything the program had to offer," said Mr Clark.

"He was the leader of the trip to Ecuador, another example of his commitment to equality and justice, as the students going will be working with the community."

He added: "Although it's been very difficult for a lot of people at the school, staff and students have been working together to support each other through this difficult time."

Mr Clark said the school intended to hold an event in February to celebrate his life and contribution to the school.

Barry Fisher, Director of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme in Scotland (DofE) said: "Fraser was well known to the DofE Scotland team for providing fantastic opportunities for young people in Preston Lodge High School to participate in the DofE programme.

"We know that he will be sorely missed by the many young people at the school. His enthusiasm, dedication and commitment to the development of young people have been outstanding and his energy will be difficult to replace.

"Our thoughts are with the school community but especially his family at this very sad time. We will be working with the school and the Council to recognise and celebrate Fraser's commitment to the DofE".

Students set up a Facebook page dedicated to the teacher. At first it was established to wish him a speedy recovery but is now a place where tributes are being paid.

One described him as the "best teacher ever" while another said: "This page goes to show how many people care about him."

Mr Kiernan's funeral service will be held on Saturday.