A PAIR of high school students have taken the crown in a national debating competition.

Mhairi Kinahan and William Adams, both S6 pupils at Peebles High School, achieved victory in the Law Society of Scotland’s Donald Dewar Memorial Debating Competition.

The national event, now in its 20th year, sees 64 schools entering and involves four gruelling rounds.

William, 18, said: "I’ve never had more fun doing anything in my life."

The coronavirus lockdown meant the final stage took place via an online platform, rather than in the debating chamber of the Scottish Parliament.

Preparing for the competition was even more of a challenge for the Peebles pupils, who were forced to find alternative venues to practise in after the school building burned down last November.

Mhairi said: “I am thrilled to have won the competition and to have all the hours of hard work finally pay off.

"We've had a strange year, with first the fire and then coronavirus.

"It's been tough at times, but despite all of this, we kept going and our debate club leader Miss Hyatt never stopped believing in us.

"And now, after everything, it's very nice to finally have some good news.”

Reflecting on the key to success, William said he and Mhairi are “not one and the same”.

He said: “We don’t think the exact same – we think in very different ways and that’s what complements us so much.

“But the key factor in us winning, without a shadow of a doubt, is [teacher] Miss Hyatt.”

Rachel Hyatt, who has worked in the English department for seven years, has watched the debating club grow to its current 30 members.

The school has now won the Donald Dewar competition twice in three years.

William and Mhairi triumphed this year after proposing the motion: 'This house would introduce a Universal Basic Income'.

In the final, they defeated Balfron High School, Fortrose Academy and the Royal High School, Edinburgh.

President of the Law Society of Scotland Amanda Millar said: “I was so impressed by the amazing quality of debating displayed in this year’s final and the passionate, skilled arguments put forward by all the pupils.

“I congratulate Mhairi and William on their win and commend the six other finalists for their performances – they were more-than-worthy opponents and it was not an easy decision for the judges to make.

“The finalists’ success is well deserved and all of the 64 schools that took part in this year’s tournament should be very proud of their achievements.

“I am delighted that we have been able to see the tournament through to the end this year, in spite of the extraordinary circumstances of COVID-19.

"Thank you to the team at the Society who worked tirelessly and thought out-of-the-box to ensure the competition could be completed.

"Also, many thanks to our debaters, coaches, chairperson and judges for coping so admirably under the pressure and to the Scottish Parliament and our sponsors for their continued support of the tournament.”