Schools in Inverclyde are bracing themselves for the second-highest number of twins on record starting primary one next week.

A total of 17 sets of ‘similar siblings’ are due to begin P1 on Friday 18 August 2023 in an area that has become known as ‘Twinverclyde’ for its high rate of twins.

It is the second-highest twin count for Inverclyde following a record 19 sets in 2015.

Most of the class of 2023 gathered at St Patrick’s Primary in Greenock for a dress rehearsal ahead of the big day next week with 15 of the 17 sets of twins in attendance.

The school, along with Ardgowan Primary, will each welcome the most pairs of similar siblings with three sets each joining their respective P1 classes.

Depute provost Graeme Brooks said: “It has become an annual tradition in Inverclyde, or Twinverclyde as we’ve become known, to welcome our twins into primary one.

“Excitement is definitely building for the start of the new term next week and what better way to look forward to that than seeing the pupils here looking resplendent in their uniforms.

“It’s also a good bit of fun for parents too – and a handy dress rehearsal ahead of the real thing next Friday.

“We’re lucky to have so many incredible schools here in Inverclyde with every one renewed or extensively refurbished, including St Patrick’s which was rebuilt and opened in 2016, thanks to the council’s unprecedented £¼ billion investment in our schools estate.

“But schools are nothing without the children, staff, and families who make them and it’s great to see some of the next generation coming through here today and I wish them all the very best as they embark on the next stage of their education journey.”

The class of 2023 will take the Inverclyde twin count to 147 sets since 2013, which is an average of 13 sets each year.

Number of sets of twins starting in P1 in the last 10 years.

2013      12

2014      15

2015      19 (record)

2016      15

2017      13

2018      4

2019      16

2020      9

2021      15

2022      12

2023      17