Our intrepid adventures on the mainland Expedition have the final leg of their journey in sight!

Again… a huge achievement 👏 undertaking a phenomenal back to back Expedition.

Day 3 Final by Oliver

The boys left Kindrogan at 6:30am to try and evade the imminent heatwave. With their spirits elevated after the use of the facilities provided they made a great start while remaining in what little shade there was left. Quickly they were met with their first problem, roadworks. The path ahead was blocked by workers who redirected them around, forcing us off-road. They finally made it back onto the proper path and this time there was no shade. They proposed that they wouldn’t stop until they reached the small wooded area they could see 4k away. In the heat it was tough but they pulled through and made it to shade. Taking a long, but necessary, break in the last shade they would see that day. After some refreshment a few chose to bathe in the ever beating rays in search of a tan. Refreshed and ready to go they set off on their last leg taking them all the way to the campsite for the night. Once again it was a struggle but once their destination was in sight they pushed through and made it there by 12:15pm. They met the other group, cooked whatever they had for lunch and played a very long game of wavelength to pass the time. There was a stream which some decided to wash off in and others just sunbathed. They decided that in order to guarantee they catch the train the next day at 12:16pm they would need to leave at 5:45am. The Christmas Eve feeling began to spread throughout camp as the fact that they would have their own beds the next day set in. After a disagreement over a massive beetle was settled (the beetle was killed) both groups retreated to their tents and were settled by 20:30pm.

Our mainland Expedition team are now half way through their journey. They have performed extremely well in the heat and have been enjoying the journey.

Day 2 By Liam

We were camping next to Jock’s bothy and started walking around 9 o’clock. Eventually we reached a forest and had to navigate through unmarked territory to try get to the John Muir way. Shortly after we passed through Kirkmichael were we ate lunch in a play park with bins. We then continued along the John Muir path and walked through a cut down forest for a few kilometres before getting to our campsite. The campsite had toilets and a tap for us too use as well as a dog to welcome us. Finally we cooked dinner and got some well earned rest.

Jocks bothy where the boys are spending the night

Today our mainland group began their final expedition. They met at Queen Street station and boarded a train to Dunkeld.

First we arrived at Dunkeld station. We started our expedition by heading for calli’s car park so that we can go to the caves to take photographs for the collage the team was going to make. It was pretty steep and a bit hard getting there but when we got to the top we found something surprising. We met a group of people who were also there. They shared a story about how their relatives used the water that flowed from the top of the mountain to make ice cubes. We all tested the water and it was pure. After that we started making our way to loch ordie. When we got there, we took a break and got a great view of the ocean. In the end we did get lost as we couldn’t find the path, however we were able to get to the campsite by going off path. – Jet

Today the students met their instructors and travelled from Queen Street station to Croy. There are 2 groups from Hillhead embarking on their Gold practice in the Campsies.

“Group 1(  Anas Yoan, Murad, Guus, Jet, Oliver and Liam) Walked from Croy to our campsite with quite a few breaks – but we pulled it through thankfully. Made it an hour ahead of schedule, with a rough but manageable campsite. Our water supply was dried but we made use of the reservoir. We also met a pony during lunch :)” – Anas

“We had a splendid time today, there were definetly ups and downs and we were often a bit slow but we made it and are ready for a nights sleep.” – Jet ( Group 2)

The intrepid explorers will now continue on their journey tomorrow after a well earned night’s sleep.

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