Stranraer Academy’s Issie Lamberton Dances Her Way to Success

Stranraer Academy is incredibly proud of S4 pupil Issie Lamberton, a talented Highland dancer whose dedication and success have shone throughout the summer season. Seven months ago, Issie made the brave decision to gain world-class training at the renowned Aileen Robertson School of Highland Dancing in Ayrshire. There, she was stripped back as a dancer to rebuild her technique, refine advanced skills, grow in confidence, and most importantly, learn to believe in herself.

Her hard work has paid off in extraordinary ways. Over the summer, Issie travelled to Girvan, Ayr, Ardrossan, Luss, Biggar, Stranraer, Northern Ireland, Musselburgh and the Isle of Arran, collecting an outstanding number of awards. In just a few months, she has secured over 30 medals, 11 trophies, and numerous prize winnings. Among her most impressive achievements, Issie was named National Runner Up at the British Open Championships, crowned National Winner on the Isle of Arran, earned Championship points at the Isle of Bute Championships, and proudly took home her first Commonwealth Championship medals in both the Highland Fling and the Seann Truibhas.

Her greatest success to date came at the prestigious Cowal Highland Dancing Championships in Dunoon on Friday 29th August. Often described as the “Olympic Games of Highland Dancing,” this world-renowned event attracts dancers from across the globe, all competing for the coveted Cowal medal in a box. Against world-class competition in an extremely tough group, Issie fulfilled her dream of winning one of these highly sought-after medals—an incredible feat after only seven months of intensive training. To add to this triumph, Issie was rated 5th in the whole of Scotland for her Highland Fling, a remarkable national achievement.

Adding to her remarkable year, Issie was also recognised locally at the Awarding Wigtownshire Awards, where she won the “Rising Star” title and was named runner-up in the “Young Achiever” category—an honour that highlights not only her dancing skill but also her determination, commitment, and inspiration to others.

Issie’s journey is one we are excitedly following, and Stranraer Academy congratulates her on her incredible achievements so far. We wish her every success as she continues to represent the school, her community, and Scotland on the national and international Highland dancing stage.