Expedition Tiree Tiger was planned as an expedition with a difference – an expedition not only to explore and experience a remote island in the Inner Hebrides but also an opportunity to make a positive impact on its environment and community. Tiree, 165 miles from Glasgow and a four-hour ferry ride from Oban, was the base for 27 army cadets, undertaking their gold Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Residential from August 4 – 13, 2024.
At just 12 miles long and three miles wide with no woodlands, it is a place where the land, sky and sea become one and it has a way of becoming one with you too. The island was chosen by Maj Deb Major, the National DofE Projects and Residentials Officer for the Army Cadets and Brigade DofE Advisor for the South East. She had been on holiday there and knew it would be a great place to take cadets but did not realise quite the impact it would have on them during their five-day, four-night expedition.
Expedition Tiree Tiger, named after the island and the HQ South East Cadet Force logo, aimed:
To allow the cadets to experience an adventure
To help the community and environment
To learn teamwork and powerful lifelong skills
To achieve their DofE Gold Residential section
Planning began in the summer of 2023 and continued up to a week before departure. Planned activities included walking the coastline of Tiree to clean debris from its beaches, tracking otter, community engagement including a ceilidh, learning about the island’s history and its environment and a whale and dolphin spotting trip. And what trip to a remote Scottish island would be complete without Smoors on the beach!
Finally, after two days travelling by minibus and ferry the cadets arrived on Tiree, the most westerly of the Inner Hebridean islands. In 40 mph winds, they erected their tents and took in the beauty of their surroundings. Windy but not a midge in site! It remained windy for the entire trip which forced the boat trip to be cancelled but there was not a single complaint about the weather.
The cadets worked alongside Hayley Douglas, the Tiree Ranger on their journey around Tiree beach clearing as they went. Hayley’s wealth of knowledge about the island, its environment and wildlife was freely given and eagerly absorbed. Hayley also took them otter tracking and rock pooling. There is so much more to see if you learn to look.
They took to beach clearing with gusto, spending a combined 723 hours removing debris, and collecting everything from crab pots to old canoes, they even discovered a car half-buried in the sand!
They helped an injured crofter remove Ragwort from his fields, protecting his animals from the poisonous plant and they had the opportunity to get up close and personal with highland cattle.
They were invited to attend a family ceilidh – for one cadet, their most memorable moment.
“Everyone is so nice and made us feel like part of their community. As we travelled around the island, they all wave at you as though they have known you for years. It’s not like that at home, where you aren’t really seen.”
Cadet Cpl LB.
“Meeting all of these people has changed my life for the better. This trip has been a real turnaround for me.”
Cdt Sgt GB
On the final day, they paid their respects to those from the island who fell in the two world wars at two ceremonies, laying crosses on the 26 Commonwealth war graves and a wreath at the island’s memorial. The sounds of a cadet bugler and a Scottish piper echoing around the island made a core connection with everyone.
“Today was very special. I have taken part in lots of remembrance parades, but this was the best I have done. I felt very personal.”
Cdt Cpl OC
As well as meeting the DofE challenge, all cadets and adult volunteers achieved the John Muir Discovery Award. The award, named after the Scottish-born naturalist, set them four challenges over four days: to discover a wild place, to explore its wilderness, to conserve it and to share the experience.
The cadets aged 16 – 18, came from diverse backgrounds and all parts of Britain. Some suffered with anxiety, some with low self-confidence and one with autism. Each cadet was expected to contribute £100 towards the cost of the £450 per person expedition. Fortunately, the bulk of the money was made up of grants and private donations – without which the trip would not have been possible.
“Without the grant, I would not have been able to come. I would have missed out on this experience which has changed my life. I think everyone needs the opportunity to experience this kind of exposure whether they can afford it or not.”
DL, a 16-year-old cadet from Hampshire
“Without the grant funding, I would not have been able to come. We just don’t have the money. We are having to sell our house as we cannot afford to live there anymore. Doing my DofE is important to me and my future, and I have worked hard to get through my bronze and silver. Because of the grant funding, I know that I can now achieve my gold award. Thank you.”
Anon
“Without the grant funding, I would not have been able to come. I think my mum would have tried to find the money, but I wouldn’t have asked to go on the trip. My dad died a year ago, so things are hard. This trip has helped me so much. Not only has it given me the opportunity to actually complete my gold DofE but the island of Tiree gave me the space to be at peace. I was able to take moments on my own to talk to my dad. I felt like I was sharing the experience with him.”
Anon
“Memories have been made, friendships developed, ideas and experiences absorbed. I have no doubt that all have come home with a little bit of their hearts left in Tiree and a little bit of Tiree left in their hearts.”
A parent
“I knew when I first visited Tiree that it would be an amazing place to bring cadets, and that this trip would make a positive impact on their mental health, but I never imagined that it would make as great an impact as it did. This started out as an opportunity for cadets to complete their Gold DofE Residential at an affordable price but ended as so much more. There is just something special about Tiree and its community. This really has been an expedition with a difference. An expedition of the soul. Made possible by the Ulysses Trust. I really can’t thank you enough for supporting this adventure. You have made more of a difference than you can imagine. Not only to the young adults but to us old ones too!”
Maj Major
Maj Major, who has spent 15 years as a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, said she had never seen a group bond so completely nor an experience change so many.
