Ainslie Park hosts a burgeoning pool of talent

The whole event took place over three sessions with the primary schools competing in the morning and the secondary children swimming in their chosen events in the afternoon and evening sessions. There were many fantastic and extremely close finishes, while some of the competitors have been lucky enough to have achieved times that will allow them to be put forward to represent their school at the Scottish Schools Championships in East Kilbride in January.

Edinburgh Schools Swimming Association convener Nicki McGregor said: “It was a busy day, but a good one. There were some great swims, but what is more pleasing is the number of schools who participated. The youngsters don’t get much of a chance to compete for their schools as most of them do most of their swimming at clubs, so this makes the day extra exciting.”

One school who performed very well were George Watson’s College who came away with 29 medals. Their nine gold medals were won by Daniel McGregor (S3), Rachael Kneen (P7), Kimberley MacKay (S2), Katherine Fraser (S2), Kirsty Niblock (S4), Ailsa Small (S5), Brodie Savage (S1) and the senior girls’ relay team of Kirsty Pyper, Nicola Glauch (both S6), Moira Watkins and Ailsa Small (both S5). Ten silvers and ten bronzes were also collected including a second place for Ellie Wilson, Anna MacKay, Rachael Kneen, Katie Fyffe in the girls’ 11 and under relay. Meanwhile, at the Midland District under-16 Swimming Championships Strathallan School’s Abigail Evans won The Nancy Riach Memorial trophy for 100m front crawl in a closely fought race.

This is the trophy which had been won by Strathallan’s swim coach Elaine Johnstone in the early 1980s. School mate Sandie Smillie won the bronze medal in the event following a personal best time.