Thousands of pupils from across the north enjoyed exam success yesterday – including two sisters from Nairn who were left crying tears of joy after achieving 10 straight A’s.
Inez Merritt, 15, and her older sister Eva, 16, sat nervously at home surrounded by family awaiting their outstanding results by text and after what seemed like forever, the Nairn Academy pupils were left elated when discovering their hard work had paid off.
Inez Merritt, who is now heading for fifth year, achieved five A’s at national 5 level in art, chemistry, maths, English, French and religious studies.
She said: “I am very overwhelmed and shocked; I couldn’t believe it when I saw the text. I am just so chuffed we both got straight A’s. It’s certainly made the hard work feel worthwhile.”
Meanwhile, her older sister Eva is entering her final year with a total of six A’s at Higher after squeezing in the Higher photography course.
As she gears towards studying engineering at the University of Glasgow, Eva spoke of their combined success as well as being able to share this memorable moment with her sibling.
She added: “I picked up an extra higher this year. I crashed a higher and I got it because I put in the work and it paid off. This should maker sixth year much easier.
“It’s just great, really nice that we both got the same. We both had to really work hard to get what we wanted to get.”
Their success comes as figures – released by the Highland Council – indicated that a total of 66 fifth year pupils across the north achieved five Highers in grades A to C, making up 13% of this year’s class.
Meanwhile, Nairn Academy sixth year pupil Fraser Weller, 17, became one of 527 sixth year pupils to obtain five advanced Highers in grades A to D yesterday.
After securing three A’s in advanced Higher biology, chemistry and maths, he has now secured his place to study Chemistry at the Imperial College in London, becoming an inspiration to his fellow students.
He said: “I am very happy. It’s just been perfect and I couldn’t have got better.”
“Everyone needs an inspiration, someone to look up to. It’s incredible I get to be someone like that; it’s really nice.”