Loudoun Hill at sunrise…a lunar eclipse…it can only be PiDay 2025

The team, wearing headtorch beanies purchased by Pi Day lead and Maths geek Mr Smith, were very ably led by Mr Adams; outdoor education officer Mr White and parent helper, Mr Hunter – a former marine with expedition experience in the Antarctic and Mount Everest.

Mr Smith had consulted with experts including Dr Alastair Bruce from the planetarium at Dynamic Earth and former Grange pupil, and now meteorologist and TV weather presenter, Kirsty McCabe, on the best altitude and time to view the lunar eclipse – a rare cosmic occurrence that will only happen again in 2063. Loudoun Hill at 316 metres in height was the perfect location – rumours that Mr Smith took a shovel to make its height more Pi appropriate are greatly exaggerated.

Mr Smith said: “It was pitch black and chilly as we headed off. At the foot of the hill there was genuine excitement even though the clouds overhead suggested that the view of the lunar eclipse might prove elusive. Enthusiasm hadn’t waned as we reached the summit. The kids were singing and laughing.

“As the sun began to rise and the moon headed towards the horizon, low cloud meant that this unique moment wasn’t one we were going to capture ourselves (not even our drone footage could spot the moon as earth cast its shadow over the left hand side of its surface). But we enjoyed our adventure, managed the descent in glorious sunshine and made it to my car, which unfortunately was stuck in the mud. It was then time for some hot chocolate and warm rolls from Mrs Smith to warm us up before heading to school for the rest of the PiDay celebrations.”

Councillor Elaine Cowan, Spokesperson for Education, and Children and Young People said: “PiDay is an important day for Mathematicians around the world and Mr Smith’s celebrations are legendary in East Ayrshire, and across the world. This year the most impressive feat was getting 22 young people to climb a hill at 5am, I am sure their parents and carers were surprised, confused and delighted in equal measure. All joking aside, a huge well done to Mr Smith, the whole team behind PiDay and our young people who got to experience something really special.”

If you want to catch up on more of this year’s PiDay antics, Mr Smith has produced a wee video with footage from the day, insights from the experts and it ends with his latest musical Mathsterpiece, “Pi me to the Moon” which looks at how his favourite number is involved in calculating the moon’s surface area, volume and orbit area.