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Ok, here are a few reports from some of our exciting camps, and activities.
21st - 23rd October 2002 - The Unit's first attempt at some mountains
On a wet and windy Monday, two Explorers and our leader set off for Killin. We arrived at our destination to pick up another of the Explorers, and after a cuppa and for some a good few biscuits we set off again. We had planned to climb a Munro, Meall Ghaordaidh, but after hearing the farmer advising another party of climbers that the weather was worse than it was down at the foot, we swiftly changed our route. We decided to head to some shielings on the lower slopes of the hill. After a long but steady drag up the hill, we stopped after navigating the river for a bite to eat. Then we set off again and reached what the Explorers were sure was a shieling, we stopped and huddled down behind the wall, which made a great wind break.
After Alan had pointed out we were not actually at the correct shieling, we managed to persuade him to lead us down! Once we had returned to the van, we changed and all dived in out of the rain. We dropped of one of the Explorers at her house, and then we went for the local shop to buy our rations. After much debate we settled for a curry and some nans.  However the day was not over, we still had to make our way up the road that had snow on either side of it to Meggernie scout campsite. We then pitched our tents in record time and dived back into the van where we were to spend a good bit of the rest of the night! We listened to the same tape over and over again whilst chatting and generally having a laugh! We had at this stage had our tea, and thanks to Alan for doing such a good job of it despite not reading the label!
The next day we were surprised, It was still raining! However we got ourselves ready to go for another hike, and then waited to be reunited with our fellow Explorer. After stalling for a few hours in the warm chalet Alan realised what was going on and was even more desperate to get out and on this walk! We set off up the road on foot... well the sensible ones did!  The less sensible amongst us chose to run through the bog and also every puddle in sight!! It was a good low level walk through a forest, with a great view when we reached the highest point we were going to go. Again we set off along the road but this time we were going down, and yet again every puddle was revisited. Then we were left once more by one of the Explorers.
 The remaining two Explorers and our leader then had the decision to make: to stay in the bitterly cold and wet conditions or return home safely? Yep, we proved that we still had some sense in us, we cut short our visit and returned to the warmth of our own warm homes! Despite the weather, we all had a great time and Alan must again be thanked for giving us such opportunities.
21st - 22nd September 2002 - Equinox night hike from Drumelzier to Stanhope Hope
 Six Explorer Scouts and Leaders drove down from Morningside to Peebles where they stopped at Big Eb's for chips. It was just after 9:00 pm when we arrived at Drumelzier and set out from the car park. The sun had long set but the full moon was lighting the cloudy sky. The Explorer Scouts' map-reading led us up the hill-track to Den Knowes Head and then on to the route of the Thief's Road, an old drovers track through the Borders, along which herds of Highland cattle were once driven south from the markets of Crieff and Falkirk. There were no Highland cattle that night, though the eyes of a few sheep (at least we think they were sheep... they could have been wolves) reflected in the beams of our torches.
The Thief's Road took us to an army of cairns and piles of stones, only a couple of which are shown on the map of the area. From here, we wandered blindly downhill until we came to a track, which took us further down hill and eventually to Stanhope Hope Bothy. Bill, of the Border Bothies Association, had already arrived there and had put out a light to guide us. He had also filled buckets with water and lit a couple of fires. We sat around and chatted for a while, some of us with hot dogs for supper. Eventually, the leaders retired to bed, though the Explorers sat and chatted for several hours more... and more... and more.
 Bill left early in the morning to cycle back to Edinburgh. The message from Alan was that the food for breakfast was in the kitchen, so the cooks set to to make the sausage and bacon rolls, with coffee for the leaders, who were not quite up by that stage. We discussed ideas for a summer expedition and played a few rounds of 'In the Bag', which Martin had brought along. Then we idled away the time chopping wood and clearing the place up.
 At noon, we set off for Drumelzier, this time taking the low track that runs east of the River Tweed. By the time we arrived back at the cars, the effects of the late night were beginning to show and four very tired Explorer Scouts were taken back to Edinburgh and delivered to their homes.
Thanks to the Border Bothies Association for the use of Stanhope Bothy (we hope we will be allowed back some time) and especially to Bill for getting there before us and making the place so warm and welcoming.
21st - 23rd February 2003 - District Explorer Scouts Skiing Weekend
 Four motley Explorers and 4 leaders headed upto Pitlochry Guide hall on Friday night. After settling in a group visit was made to the local Chinese Chippy. After a good nights rest, except for Russell you forgot his sleeping mat and almost his sleeping bag, bacon rolls were consumed and we headed up to Glenshee slopes managing to arrive early doors at 8:30.
Brian announced that the weather was clearing, even though it was clear to everyone else that it was going to be like pea soup all day. Undeterred by conditions a full days skiing was undertaken with a variety of styles, mainly ranging from dangerous to kamikaze. Great fun was also had having 'snow lump' fights on skis along with Russell embarrising himself by beaking his ski pole and falling off the pom pom.
After a hard day's skiing, we headed back to Pitlochry Guide Hall for dinner and a video. After bloating ourselves full of food, consisiting mainly of pies, listening to Stephen decide on better endings on books he read and coming up with a definitive guide to the best chocoloate, the best crisps, the best book, the best video, the best drink, the best pies etc, etc, we settled down to watching the Bourne Identity on Video. The less said about the video the better.
Sunday came and with deterioring weather conditions we decided to spend the day with a short walk and some relaxing in Perth Leisure pool where the Explorers tried their best to get chucked out for swinging in the pool
15th - 16th March 2003 - Summer Expedition recce
Early one Saturday morning, the four members of the Summer Expedition Committee, together with Robin, Alan and Rosie set off for Fort William. We stopped en route at Ballachulish for refreshment and relief before pressing on to the Caledonian Canal  to check out camp sites, boat launching points and cycle tracks.The Saturday was spent looking at the southernmost part of the Canal and then looking for a suitable nearby camp site. The first site having been chosen, we set off to look for Rosie, who had been cycling along the Great Glen Cycle Route, but whose journey had taken her down an untracked grassy slope. There was a lesson there somewhere.
We managed to check out one more site that night and then headed back to Spean Bridge, where we had arranged to spend the night at the Lochaber Area Scout site at Insh.  The next day, we headed north again and found a great site at Fort Augustus and one that we thought less appealing on Loch Ness. We almost persuaded Alan to buy a pantechnicon of a camper van to replace his current Volkswagen, but he was unconvinced. We pushed on and discovered a site near Drumnadrochit. This was mainly a stables and riding school, but they took tents as well in a big field near the road. We finished off by visiting a picnic site where we had some tea and juice and cake and biscuits while discussing what we had seen and how it might all fit together.
 Alan briefed us on the other things that we should bear in mind for the expedition and we set off to visit the last site of the day. Unfortunately, this had been closed down some years back and we would not be able to stay there. It was a question of thinking again! We set off back home in our two vehicles with a pretty good idea of how our summer expedition was now going to pan out.
This expedition has still to be written up but here are some pictures!
28th June - 5th July 2003 - Summer Expedition to the Great Glen
Saturday 28th June
We all met at Cluny Centre in the morning, and set to work bringing all the equipment down from the loft. Alan arrived with the van and Calum somehow packed everything in... the tents and cooking gear, the personal kit and the bicycles (most of the food had to go in Martin's car). The van then set off to pick up the trailer and four kayaks while five of the Explorers met with Helen at Waverley Station in time for the 11:30 train to Glasgow and then Fort William.
 We all met at Fort William and everyone (except Alan) set off to cycle the first stage of the Great Glen Cycle Route from Fort William to Gairlochy. This took us along the canal tow path and then up to the Commando Memorial and north to the first camp site at Stronaba, where Mrs Macdonald welcomed us and showed us where we could camp. We pitched the tents and the leaders cooked the meal (not for the last time). After dinner, the Explorers cycled down to Gairlochy and were picked up by Alan and Martin as the darkness moved in.
Sunday 29th June
 We woke and had breakfast late but were soon off on the day's activities. Helen took four cyclists off to Leanachan Forest, while Alan and Martin took three kayakers off to Laggan Locks. The leaders had to ferry the trailer and van to Loch Oich while the Explorers ferried the kayaks across the locks to the launch site. When it was all over, Alan, Jenna, Becky and Niall set off up the Caledonian Canal. They got slightly stuck in the piers of the Laggan Swing Bridge, but were soon out into Loch Oich, where they stopped for lunch. Paddling up the east side of the loch took them up to near Invergarry Castle and they decided to pay it a visit, only to find that it was closed because of unstable masonry. They sat on the pier for a well-earned rest before setting off for the car park near the Well of the Seven Heads.
Meanwhile, the cyclists were having an interesting time - and Martin found himself driving up and down the Great Glen as a courier. The cyclists had not gone far when Nick's chain gave up the ghost and he had to hire a new bicycle. There were further problems as Jamie's chain came to grief and Calum's rear brake cable snapped. Richard's only problem was his bicycle, but Martin wasn't going to get a new one of those! Despite all the problems, they all had a great time on the forest tracks and were all pretty muddy when they were picked up at the end of the day.
That night, we all camped at Faichemard, an excellent camp site, spoiled only by the midges and complete lack of any atmosphere. Martin left for Edinburgh while Alan and Helen fitted a new chain to Nick's bike and then bent the tool they had borrowed from a couple of Dutch cyclists in attempting to fix Jamie's.
Monday 30th June
 Creeping out of the camp site to avoid making any sound, two of the cyclists left by van with the bicycles, bound for the Commando Memorial while Helen and two others took the bus. There was no kayaking for the next two days, and Richard, Jamie and Niall walked down to Invergarry to await Alan, who was going with them on a wild camping trip to the east. The cyclists had a great time cycling up the Great Glen cycle way from Gairlochy along the western shore of Loch Lochy to the Well of the Seven Heads and from there to Fort Augustus, where they set up camp in the Fort Augustus Camping and Caravan park. This is just next to the golf course and they enjoyed a few rounds of golf in the evening when everyone else had left
 After an ice-cream to assuage the effects of the Scottish sun, the walkers set off up Glen Buck, following a vague path up by Allt a' Ghlinne. This path disappeared and they soon found themselves on a wild open moor, a peat bog where bog myrtle, bog asphodel, bog cotton and butterwort flourished. They came down to Allt Lagan a' Bhainne where they found a couple of suitable places for pitching tents. It was later that Alan discovered that his was on a sheep track which, as Richard pointed out, brought a new meaning to counting sheep in order to get to sleep. They lit a fire on a shingle flat and cooked dinner there.
Tuesday 1st July
Those at Fort Augustus had a lazy morning, walking into the town and lazing around by the canal. The wakers had breakfast, struck camp and, ensuring that there were no traces left, set off on their way down the glen to the Corrieyairack. They walked down the old military road, built by General Wade, and into Fort Augustus. All together again, the Explorers set off into town in order top take a tour of Loch Ness on the boat, but the engine was in need of repair and Helen and Alan met them on their way back.
In the evening, we set off into town to visit the chip shop and had our dinner by the locks in Fort Augustus. Some of the Explorers played golf again in the evening, while others strolled around. We had a sing-song in the van to avoid the midges (we would have had a camp fire but they just weren't allowed!).
Wednesday 2nd July
 We all set off again, the cyclists along the side of Loch Ness, while the kayakers found a suitable place for launching the boats and paddled down to Fort Augustus for lunch and then to the uninhabited eastern shore of the loch, where they lit a fire and burnt some of the litter that had been washed ashore.
The cyclists arrived at Borlum Farm, our next site, some time before the kayakers returned, so they set off into town to do some shopping. After dinner, we all wandered into town again and had a lazy evening, singing and telling jokes.
Thursday 3rd July
 After breakfast, the kayakers set off for Dochgarroch. They launched the boats above the lock and paddled towards Loch Ness. Occasional passing boats provided washes that were fun to ride and to splash into and we soon found a couple of islands on which to laze about and have lunch. After the break, we set off again for the loch and had some fun on the way back, exploring an old wreck and Jamie riding on the stern of Richard's kayak. Giving the weir a wide berth, we returned to Dochgarroch.
The cyclists meanwhile cycled along the track up Glen Coiltie.
Friday 4th July
 Today the cyclists were supposed to undertake a challenging route up over the hills to the Moray Firth and the camp site at Bunchrew. However, they wimped out and cycled along the main road, meeting up with the kayakers while Alan was driving to Bunchrew and cycling back to Dochgarroch Lock. They then set off along the tow path while the kayakers set off up the Caledonian Canal.
 Alan had rather more paddling than the rest of the kayakers as he had to go back for his watch that he had left on the grass while changing. They all paddled on and had lunch on the shore just before a large boat came through and washed the kayaks from where they were beached. They had to portage around the locks in Inverness and the Works Lock but they were allowed into the sea lock as it was high tide. It was a brilliant site to see the locks open into the Moray Firth. They then made for the plume of smoke on the shore.
 In the mean time, the cyclists had arrived at Bunchrew and had lit a fire on the beach... this was the smoke the kayakers had seen. We all had a fine last supper on the beach and then sang songs and told tales and jokes around the fire. It was a great end to an exhausting expedition.
Saturday 5th July
The van was loaded early and the kayaks and kit packed away as soon as the Scouts got up. Alan with two Explorers set off for Edinburgh in the van, while the rest took the bus into Inverness and then the train from there back to Waverley Station. The kayaks and trailer were delivered to Longcraig and we all met back at Cluny Centre at 3 o'clock and unloaded kit and bikes.
In the beginning... a few pictures
Trapperskamp 2003 - 18th - 25th October 2003
Saturday 18th October
 We met outside Cluny, from where we were driven to Cairneyhill Scout Centre by Richard's Dad, (many thanks for the return journey!). At Cairneyhill, we loaded the trailers with all of the equipment, stowed our bags in a minibus, and made a run for the local shop where we had our last can of juice and chocolate bar for a whole week!!! We boarded the bus, and we set of for the Trossachs chatting to our Trappers companions.
When we reached base camp, at Strathyre, we had to unload the trailers, then a group of us made up the emergency ration packs whilst the others set up the base camp. After a healthy meal high in carbohydrates and chopped onions we headed off to bed for what was supposed to be an early night!!!
Sunday 19th October
 We woke early to the smell of bacon and sausage, Yummy, what a breakfast. After this feast, we all peeled potatoes for stovies, which turned out to be for tea that night. We then had to make the bivouacs, and well we found out that 3m x 3m is not enough for two people and their kit!
We then packed up our kit for the final time, and loaded our bags onto the minibuses, where they were taken along with us to the King's Arms Hotel, where we met the Dutch scouts and had flagbreak and the group photograph. We were then dropped off in groups to hike up to our first check point which was up past Rob Roy's grave. When we arrived, we met the other subcamp, and shared a last meal together before being separated. After our meal we took part in several challenges, including map symbols, sit ups, cat crawls and also to be topped off with a safety briefing. Then we had a rest and waited to be called up for the rigorous kit search. The other subcamp were then bussed to their site for the night, whilst we walked to ours, where we pitched the bivis and had a hot drink before diving into bed as the cold and dark night closed in around us.
Monday 20th October
 We were woken up early, and had to do morning exercises to warm us up. Then we had bread with jam and a warm drink. We walked for several miles before reaching the first checkpoint, which was air rifle shooting, where we all did very well. Then we carried on along our route up to the top of Glen Finglas, from where we saw the lunch base, and what a welcoming site it was! We jogged down to the base and made several sandwiches each.
We then carried on down the glen towards the reservoir, where we had two tasks to do, we had to tie a complicated knot, and Mikael wins the prize for being the closest! We also had to draw a picture of the reservoir. After this we slowly trotted on down to Brig o' Turk, where we had to play a memory game in order to try and win a crate of luxury food for our subcamp, which we failed to do!! This was the last base, so our next stop on this extremely long day was the bivi site, which we found. Tonight's tea was rather an interesting concoction, and it was best not to shine your torch on it whilst eating!! We all had an early night, as our little legs were knackered.
Tuesday 21st October
 Again we were woken early for our warm up session, and then we had our bread and were separated for the first time, we had to split up to get into the buses. We were taken to a large, steep rock face. No points for guessing, we were abseiling down it, It was not a very technical descend, but it was fun, and provided a good view. We then packed as much extra food away as possible and headed off to our next base. We had to walk down a road from here, and despite Calum running round a corner to come face to face with a jeep going slightly too fast, we all made it! We had a swift lunch and then marched on down to Aberfoyle, which we passed through, and found a loch with several Canadian canoes on the shore. Yes, we had to paddle right the way across it. We all managed to stay dry, and thanks to some excellent steering by Mikael, we got there to secure third place for Scotland.
We then had a small hike up to our site. We had trout for tea tonight, it was really good, again well done Mikael for gutting them. Then Richard and John had an early night, whilst Mikael and Calum stayed up chatting to the leaders.
Wednesday 22nd October
 This morning we were woken and a group of Dutch scouts and a threesome and our foursome were bussed to the Inversnaid Hotel, from where we set off second and managed to run down the West Highland Way to Rowerdennan. We arrived first at the lunch base, and had to wait until they had set up. After we had refuelled enough to get us half way up Ben Lomond. We then crossed over to Duchray Water, where we found the trailer for food and made a fire. The leaders eventually turned up and we went into the forest to pitch our bivouacs. It was a brilliant meal of haggis, neeps and tatties with superb portions. Then we made the bread and managed to burn holes in one of John's mess tins, sorry!
Thursday 23rd October
 We woke up to a slightly shorter warm-up than normal, due to the lack of space in the forest. We then ate a quick breakfast before setting off. We had to measure the amount of water passing a bridge, but there was no movement. We then came to a ropes course, where we excelled ourselves with Mikeal managing to grab a pancake! We then hiked over to Aberfoyle. Just through Aberfoyle, we found the lunch base in the Dounans Centre. Here we crammed our mouths full with pancakes (Mikeal only taking four according to him, more like eight!). We then hiked to a forest near Kilmahog where we set up camp and cooked mince and tatties instead of the scheduled rabbit. This is our last night of cooking and also our last night as the one sub-camp. Then we persuaded the Dutch that a haggis was a real animal and they built a trap to try and catch one, funnily enough they failed to catch one! So from here we enjoyed chatting with the Dutch and swapping email addresses, and then we followed a fox up to our bivis.
Friday 24th October
 We had to jog about 4 km this morning to get to the bike hire, from where we were let loose on some very nice and lightweight mountain bikes. We cycled along to the Strathyre holiday cabins, where we did a challenge before having lunch. We then sped off and met the next base, where we did an orienteering course on a bike in the fastest time that day. From here we sped along in a slip stream with John leading the train. We came to base camp and tried archery, we had mixed fortunes here. Then about two hours later we walked up to our bivi site for the last night, Here we pitched one bivi for the bags. We then waited for the Campbells to arrive. We then chatted as a whole camp again before walking down to hand in logbooks. Then we were treated to venison burgers cooked by the leaders. We then went back up and had a campfire at the site. After the leaders disappeared we all set out sleeping bags under the stars and had a brilliant last night.
Saturday 25th October
We woke up and did our last session of warm-up this Trappers. We then packed up our bags and bivis and then marched happily down to base camp where we enjoyed a hearty breakfast followed by the Highland Games, where due to some biased referees, the Campbells won by one point. Then we finished with the presentations and a final goodbye to our Dutch friends. We stopped off at MacDonalds on our way back to Cairneyhill. Then we were picked up by Richard's dad who withstood the stench and dropped us all off at our houses, thanks again!
Calum, John, Mikael and Richard (North Face Trapperskamp 2003 team)
photographs by Calum and Callum Farquhar (Trapperskamp 2003 staff)
22nd - 23rd November 2003 - Night hike and bothy night
Six Explorers and three leaders set off from Cluny Centre for Innerleithen. It was well dark when we set off up Lee Pen. The Explorers were given maps but no compasses and had to locate and orientate themselves using the lights of villages and the stars. The Plough (Ursa Major) and Pole Star (Polaris) were brought into the discussion, as was Orion and the Pleiades.
The Explorers were then sent on ahead with instructions to wait at various check-points for the leaders to catch up. In the end, the leaders admitted that they were pretty impressed with the Explorers' map reading and night navigation. It was after midnight when we arrived at Hope and very chilly it was too. After starting the water system, we lit fires in all rooms and Martin made us hot dogs for supper.
A fairly late rise the following morning and Alan approached the Explorers with the proposition that the leaders would cook breakfast if the youngsters cleared up and did lunch as well. This was accepted as a good deal! It was a lazy morning for some, though Michael joined Alan, Martin and Caroline in searching out a couple of fallen trees in the forest and chopping them up for firewood. It had been decreed that lunch had to be international and the Explorers had voted on burgers and hash-browns... though they hadn't expected to have to cook them from scratch!
After lunch, we cleared up, packed up, closed up and set off down the track to meet Michael's Dad who arrived to help with transport. His help was needed more than ever when Martin's car suffered from a flat tyre just outside Eddleston. Everyone else arrived home at the expected hour while Martin waited for the AA and looked on in disbelief when the mechanic took out a sledge hammer to try to remove the wheel. He got home some three hours later!
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