"Getting the young people ranked in the National League at that level was fantastic. We never dreamed they could achieve something like that so soon - they have done brilliantly - and it just shows that this is definitely something which we can develop further," said Tony Wade, Active Schools Team Leader.

The Concept 2 Indoor Rowing machines are the crème de la crème of sports equipment, used by sportsmen and women around the world, and in 2005 the company launched the School's National League - attracting 325 teams in its first season and a total of 1,639 teams from schools throughout the UK last season.

The Active Schools Concept 2 programme was established around a year and a half ago, and Sir E Scott School in Tarbert have previously entered teams and competed successfully in the National League.

And now, thanks to the loan of five Concept 2 indoor rowing machines from Scottish Rowing to The Nicolson Institute, Lewis pupils have this year also been giving the sport a go - to huge success.

"It offers great opportunities and is an ideal sport for the school pupils up here - it can be done indoors and all year round and they can compete with other schools around the country without the disruptions and expenses of travelling," continued Tony.

"Those pupils who may not be naturals at sports requiring hand/eye co-ordination can often find that they excel at rowing, as it flatters those who have strength and power as well as good general fitness.

"It's also great conditioning for other sports though. Footballers or athletes for example can really develop their overall fitness and conditioning by rowing out of season."

This week school pupils throughout the Western Isles have had the chance to experience Concept 2 for themselves as a Concept 2 Roadshow, organised by Active Schools, called in at The Nicolson Institute on Tuesday, Tarbert on Wednesday and has pulled up at Lionacleit school today (Thursday).

"It's a great chance for pupils to come and have a go at using the machines," expanded Tony.

"There are 15 machines on the roadshow lorry and pupils also have the opportunity to speak to and get advice from world class rower Tom Kay."

Tom Kay has been a lightweight international oarsman since 1989 and has rowed in nine World Championship - gaining a total of four World Championship Medals, three of which are gold - as well as competing in two Olympic Games.

The tour has also illustrated the competition possibilities which Concept 2 offers island pupils, as Tony continued: "Already our schools can compete with schools across mainland Britain, but the next stage is to link up through Broadband and compete against other teams in real time.

"With the technology offered by Concept 2 we can link up a laptop to a projector and show the real time race as it happens on a large screen. Through this link up, pupils can also compete with schools anywhere in the world so we could have inter-island competitions, UK island competitions, or even organise a competition between The Nicolson Institute and its twin school in Pendleton, South Carolina - there's a lot of potential with this programme," he concluded.

Kevin Trewartha, Rector of The Nicolson Institute said: "The school has recently joined the Scottish Government 'School of Ambition' programme.

"This project uses new technology links perfectly with this - and gives our young people another opportunity to increase their physical activity levels in an innovative way."

Tom Kay, who leads Concept 2's Training and Education team, said: "We are delighted to visit the Western Isles and gain an insight into the issues relating to physical activity in a remote island community. Much of our work focuses on inner city areas but it is clear that social exclusion can be just as significant in a community like this. We hope the youngsters who take part in the sessions will want to get involved with the National League we operate as Sir E.Scott school and The Nicolson Institute pupils have started to do recently.

"By using new technology we can overcome many of the barriers that clearly exist to young people taking part in meaningful competition, perhaps a competition between The Nicolson Institute and their twin school Pendleton in the U.S.A. could happen in the future."