Some of the world’s leading astronauts and cosmonauts will pay a flying visit to the Highlands and Islands this week to encourage pupils in the area to consider careers in science and technology.

The astronauts will address an audience of hundreds of pupils at schools in the Outer Hebrides, Inverness, Orkney, Shetland and Moray and inspire them with their experiences of space travel and scientific exploration.

The visit is a key element of a week-long congress which Careers Scotland is hosting in Edinburgh next week, when around 100 astronauts and cosmonauts attend the Association of Space Explorers Annual Planetary Congress.

Hosted by Careers Scotland, the congress will bring together astronauts and cosmonauts (fliers) from around the world and one of the aims of the visit is to promote careers in science and technology to Scottish pupils.

Teams of fliers will visit schools in every local authority area in Scotland to speak to pupils about their experiences in space and help generate enthusiasm about subjects such as physics, engineering and chemistry.

Rob Tyson, Careers Scotland senior adviser based in Elgin, said: "These visits will be a fantastic experience for the pupils involved to meet some of the world’s most inspirational astronauts and cosmonauts.

“Science and technology are key to the success of Scotland’s economy and it is vital that we encourage Scottish youngsters to consider careers in these areas.

“Space science is a fascinating subject and we hope that meeting the fliers and hearing about their experiences first-hand will show pupils that science is a huge field with countless different career opportunities.”

Careers Scotland runs several programmes to encourage students to study science and technology subjects and to consider careers in these fields. The popular Space School programme is a partnership initiative with NASA and involves a number of activities for Scottish school pupils, including online space workshops, visits from astronauts and Space Camps in Houston and at universities in Scotland.

Enterprise Minister Jim Mather believes the ASE event will be an inspiration to Scottish youngsters. He said: “It is wonderful to have such luminaries of space exploration here in Scotland. I am pleased that they will be involved in a number of community and school events while they are here, for I know that their presence will inspire Scots of all ages to consider careers in science and technology.

“Scotland is a forward-looking nation, with science and innovation at its heart, and the presence of so many highly regarded astronauts and cosmonauts will help consolidate that view at home and abroad.”

The ASE congress is being hosted by Careers Scotland, in association with Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). 

The Association of Space Explorers (ASE) is an international organisation made up of 300 members from 30 different countries – all of who have flown in space at least once. The group brings members together for debate and dialogue, promotes education in science and engineering and encourages international cooperation in the exploration of space.

John Fabian, co-president of the ASE, said: “This will be the first time we have come to Britain for our annual congress and we are looking forward to visiting Edinburgh.

“One of our aims is to promote the study of science and we hope that meeting some of our members will inspire young people in Scotland to consider science and technology for study and as a career.”