Fun Palace Alis and the Eden Court Engagement Team have been finding ways to connect with friends and neighbours who are not online by making more direct personal contact.

Ossian Ballance has got the bottle!

Q: Ossian, what have you got the bottle to do then?

A: Well, I’ve got the bottle to share with everyone how I’m feeling at the moment! I wrote on a piece of paper how I’m feeling about the school closing and put the piece of paper in a bottle then hung it on a tree by the mailboxes at Torran where I live! So, now everyone can see how I’m feeling.

Q: So, how are you feeling?

A: I’ve said I’m in 2 minds about the school closing.

Q: Really? You’re not just excited about the school closing like you would be at holiday time?

A: No, because this time I won’t be able to see my friends the same way and it’s for longer. And I’m not quite used to home schooling yet. But it is fun to be off school and I get to play with my brother and on the Xbox and out on the swing at Torran and stuff.

Q: Ok, that’s understandable. And what’s with the bottle idea? Are you inviting other people to write a message in a bottle to share so that you can keep in touch with your friends and other pupils at your school just now?

A: Yeah that’s right. I’m inviting other kids (or grown-ups!) at Torran and Drumbuie to write a message and put it in a bottle to share at the mailboxes. And I’m inviting other kids in Drumnadrochit or other places to do the same in their neighbourhood.

Q: Sounds fun! Any tips for others doing this?

A: Yeah, it’s a bit tricky to get your message into the bottle and then get it in place so you can read the message. You need to play about with it for a bit. Actually if you’ve just washed the bottle and it’s still a bit wet but not too wet, that helps the message curl open and stick to the curves of the bottle!

Q: Thanks for the advice Ossian! And if people want to send pictures of them with their bottles where do they send them?

A: Email your photos me Alis. 

And have fun. 

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