Following an annual tradition that has been in place since 1993, a group of Scotland County High School students left Raleigh-Durham International Airport yesterday for a two week cultural exchange visit to Laurinburg's sister city, Oban, Scotland.

The 11 students were scheduled to arrive Friday morning at Glasgow Airport, and from there travel by bus to Oban where they were to stay with their host families. Saturday will include a cycling trip, with activities such as castle tours, parties, school visits and field trips to follow in subsequent days.

Beacham McDougald of Laurinburg originated the program after having been part of a cultural exchange program in the 1960s.

"I spent the summer of 1968 as an exchange student in Mexico," McDougald said. "It was a great experience, and it gave me the idea that we should be doing a similar type of program here in Scotland County. Thanks to the efforts of so many dedicated people, it has become a wonderful program with many students having benefitted from the cultural exchange."

Laurinburg and Oban became sister cities in May, 1993, with the first student exchange between Scotland High School and Oban High School beginning in October of that year. Since that time almost 200 students from each community have participated.

Group Chaperone Nancy Butler of Laurinburg is excited to be taking her first trip to Scotland.

"We have been involved in the exchange program with Oban in the past, having been the host family for five Scottish students over the years," Butler said. "I am excited that the kids are having this cultural experience, and since my grandmother was a Gordon and her mother was a Stewart, I too am greatly looking forward to visiting our ancestral home."

The students' Scottish counterparts will come to Scotland County on October 8 for a two-week visit; their hosts will be the families of those students who are visiting Scotland this month.

"The connections that these students and families develop with each other are truly impressive," McDougald said. "It feels good to know that lifetime bonds are being formed between our two countries, and that many of the exchange students are still communicating years after they took part in the program."

The students will return to Scotland County June 25.

Those selected for the 2009 Oban exchange are: Mary Taylor Britt, daughter of Tommy and Jacque Britt of Laurinburg; Charity Chavis, daughter of Jerry and Glenda Chavis of Laurinburg; Krystal Clark, daughter of Sheryl Hatcher of Wagram; Will Collins, son of Jennifer Gentry of Laurinburg; Brandi Cross, daughter of Kurt and Cindy Cross of Laurinburg; Richard Macy, son of Robert and Carrie Macy of Laurinburg; Syd McIlwain, daughter of Bill and Sherry McIlwain of Wagram; Trey Pleasant, son of James Pleasant of Laurinburg; Alexis Rosman, daughter of James and Laura Rosman of Laurinburg; Polly Smith, daughter of Gary and Darlene Smith of Laurinburg; and Leigh Williams, daughter of Bradley and Sarah Williams of Laurinburg. Adult chaperones are Bo and Nancy Butler.

The Laurinburg Rotary Club and the Jane M. Purcell Memorial Scholarship provide funding to insure that any selected student is able to participate.