This was a wonderful experience in which 50 pupils studying Higher and Advanced Higher Art and Photography enjoyed seeing some great works of art.  At the Prado, The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch, a work of boundless imagination, attracted the most attention and, at the huge Thysenn–Bornemisza collection, realist paintings by Hopper and Estes were most admired.  The Reina Sophia, an architecturally dynamic modern art gallery, which houses Picasso’s Guernica was next to our hotel and this seemingly endless space encompasses the highly individual and innovation contribution that Spanish artists have made to modern art.  These memories will stay with us and there were many more: the sight of Toledo, home of El Greco; the restaurant that celebrated the love of meat with salted pork walls; the social encounter and dancing in the Plaza Mayor with a group from Galicia and the observation of life in Madrid during the game between Real and Barcelona.  Miss Scott, Miss Lindsay, Mr Maclean and Mr Nelson were joined by Mr Fraser, whose cultural comments were much appreciated and we were led through Madrid by the skill, knowledge and enthusiasm of Mrs Bryce.