PICTURES: Tarradale Primary School pupils in Muir of Ord score time off classes to catch Scotland's historic Euro opener
PUPILS at a Ross-shire primary school got a valuable lesson in the ups and downs involved with being a Scotland fan yesterday.
The full rollercoaster of emotions typically endured by followers of Scotland's national football team were experienced by pupils at Tarradale Primary in Muir of Ord yesterday as they were allowed to catch the side's opening Euro Championship match with the Czech Republic at Hampden.
Highland Council had allowed schools to decide for themselves whether to allow pupils to watch the 2pm match live.
With Scotland qualifying for its first major tournament in 23 years, a whole generation has been denied the opportunity to witness the side in action on the biggest stages.
Ross primary ready for Euro thrills and spills
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The 2-0 defeat at Hampden may have been a bit of a comedown after the frenetic build-up but that didn't stop youngsters experiencing it all for themselves with their pals and teachers.
Tarradale later posted: "So maybe we didn’t get the score we wanted but do you know what we did get??? That crazy, fun Tarradale feeling when we are all in something together so it was worth every minute! Fantastic!"
Scotland's next fixture – with England, at Wembley – is on Friday evening.
Poll results: Would YOU keep your child out of school to watch Scotland?
PICTURES: Mixed emotion in Highland capital as Scotland slump to opening defeat