PUPILS from across Ayrshire have put their speaking skills to the test in a Law Society of Scotland competition.

Teams from secondary schools across the area took part in the first round of the annual Donald Dewar Memorial Debating Tournament at Greenwood Academy in Dreghorn.

Ayr Advertiser: The Greenwood A Team at the debateThe Greenwood A Team at the debate (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

The top two schools - St Matthew's Academy in Saltcoats and Wellington School in Ayr - are now heading in to the next round to face teams from across the West of Scotland.

Greenwood pupil Olivia won the best floor speaker award during the debate.

Ayr Advertiser: A Greenwood pupil joins the debate

The competition, dedicated to the memory of Scotland's first First Minister Donald Dewar, is Scotland’s largest annual schools debating tournament.

This year will see 64 teams from across Scotland enter the first round, with just one team crowned the winner at the grand final next year.

Ayr Advertiser: Head teacher Katy Hegarty

After the event Greenwood head teacher Katy Hegarty said on X (formerly Twitter): "A massive well done to our Greenwood Academy debate team who participated in the Donald Dewar Memorial Debate.

"We were thrilled to host the event. The team did a fantastic job. We are very proud of you.

Ayr Advertiser: One of the St Matthew's team takes part

"Congratulations to Billie, Jake, Olivia and Alistair for their performance. Great research, rebuttal and summing up! Well done.

Ayr Advertiser: The judgesThe judges (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

"Congratulations to Olivia who won Best Floor Speaker at the tournament. Well done to the winning teams from St Matthew' s Academy and Wellington. Good luck in the next round."

(Photos by Charlie Gilmour)