RETURNING rector Campbell Wilson was given a warm welcome back to Peebles High last week.
And he was even presented with a few stanzas of his own from one of the best-known Scottish poets.
Following a long and courageous journey back to health after suffering a severe stroke, Mr Wilson returned for the school's annual Christmas concert.
To commemorate his return, parents presented Mr Wilson with a unique gift - giving him his place in the history books.
After recently asking one of the parent groups to update the history of the school, they decided the secondary's story would not be complete without Mr Wilson at its core.
As an English scholar Mr Wilson has long admired internationally renowned Gaelic poet Aonghas MacNeacail from Carlops - indeed he even studied his works whilst at University.
The parents invited Aonghas to write a poem dedicated to Mr Wilson to be included in the school's history book.
A Book that Will Not Close, written in English, Gaelic and Old Scots was recited on Mr Wilson's return by the poet.
To make it even more special another parent and artist Simon Fraser added beautiful illustrations.
The finished work was presented to Mr Wilson at the concert by Margaret Hogg, Chair of the Parent Council
On behalf of Peebles High PTA, Glenda Barton told us: "Many thanks indeed to Aonghas and Simon for their generosity.
"The poem is now on the website in the school handbook section for all to see."
A Book that Will Not Close (partial)
a breath of sacredness is found
spread among the limbs of trees
silence between breeze and bellow
ease for the eye that drew a question
as succulent apple from its branch
every eager scholar will desire
a flame to rise out of the ground
that might give a guide to knowing
how the story that’s within a verse
is to be told with abundant warmth
for if the audience is not won over
command of eye and ear is lost
and we’ll lose the bands of strength
keeping us bound closely to the song
that must be passed on to our young
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