THE mother of a high-achieving student this week paid tribute to her daughter’s former teacher and the support she was given at Peebles High School.

Sophie Hannah Talas was presented with the Royal Society of Chemistry’s prize for securing the highest mark in this year’s Advanced Higher Chemistry in Scotland.

She was joined for the prize-giving by her former chemistry teacher Sara Ashby.

Sophie’s mum Györgyi said: “Dr Ashby is a fantastic teacher and Peebles High School has a very strong and very supportive science department.” Sophie, a first year medical student at Edinburgh University, received her award from MSP Alasdair Allan, minister for learning, science and Scotland’s languages.

The award ceremony took place as part of the Science and the Parliament event at Our Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh on November 12.

The event has been a successful initiative that has run since shortly after the Scottish Parliament was established.

It brings politicians and other policy makers into contact with a broad range of scientists and engineers from across Scotland. It attracts over 300 delegates annually, and over 30 organisations normally take part in the exhibition.

This year’s event focused on the contribution of science and engineering to science education in Scotland.