Ex CADET HIGHLAND SISTERS the recent Regimental Adventure Training (AT) expedition trekking the Affric Kintail Way (74 km) followed by day in the mountains of Kintail (10 km).
The exercise aims were threefold, to provide Officer Cadets (OCdts) with an introduction to AT through a mountaineering expedition, deliver Summer Mountain Foundation (SMF) to novices and provide continuation training and development to those more experienced.
DAY 1: Travel Day – Dundee to Drumnadrochit
The two-week Regimental Annual Deployment Exercise (ADX) behind us, finishing the day before, all staff and Officer Cadets (OCdts) met at Park Wynd (Tayforth UOTC), Dundee. Exercise kit was collected, issued and two vehicles packed ready for the move north to Drumnadrochit, the start point for the Affric Kintail Way.
Upon arrival at Loch Ness Bay Camping, the campsite was set up (8 tents) and the evening meal prepared, a chilli with rice, homemade guacamole and tortilla chips.
After the evening meal, there was a quick exercise introduction, splitting into the two teams and then a brief for the next day. All then had an opportunity for kit prep before taking a walk into Drumnadrochit.
DAY 2: Affric Kintail Way – Stage One (Drumnadrochit to Cannich) 22 km
Day one on the trail. The campsite was collapsed, breakfast consumed and packed meals prepared and the support vehicle packed. Then, after the daily brief and final checks, rucksacks were lifted and the group departed, heading for the trail start. First stop was Craigmonie Viewpoint with Loch Ness in the background for a group photo.
After this the next stop was Balnain Car Park, a quick break at the picnic benches and then back on the trail. Not long after, the rain started and the waterproofs were out. The rain accompanied us for the rest of the day along with the midges. As the afternoon progressed and no sign of the rain letting up, to reach Bog Cotton café at the next campsite before it closed became the goal, which we achieved with 10 mins to spare and morale shot up, out of the rain, away from the midges with a hot drink and sweet treat.
It was a tough first stage, longest of the trail and all on forestry roads and tracks, made more challenging with the weather.
Following the brief stop in the café, tents were set up and preparation of the evening meal started. Tonight, it was chicken and bacon pasta. The campsite common room was a big hit, no rain or midges, evening meal in peace and impromptu quiz night.
DAY 3: Affric Kintail Way – Stage Two (Cannich to River Affric FLS Car Park) 20 km
We woke to a much better day, with sunshine and a light breeze. After getting the admin sorted, the group departed the campsite back onto the trail heading through and out of Cannich.
The first stop of the day was Dog Falls Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) Car Park, situated beside the river in the sunshine. After this the trail enters into Glen Affric properly and the views started to open up and the stunning landscape it is famous for, pinewoods, lochs, rivers and mountains. The trail was a combination of forestry roads and tracks, another long day, second longest stage of the trail.
We met the support team at the River Affric FLS Car park, tents were picked up and the wild campsite set up. Back at the car park, rations were issued and the picnic benches were used for evening meal and to get personal admin sorted.
DAY 4: Affric Kintail Way – Stage Three (River Affric FLS Car Park to Alltbeithe Youth Hostel) 14 km
The midges this morning made collapsing the wild campsite quick and it was back to the car park for breakfast (ration packs). Additional rations were issued and expedition rucksacks packed in preparation for the stay in the Youth Hostel tonight.
The morning was overcast and thankfully the wind picked up a little keeping the worst of the midges at bay. The trail initially handrailed Loch Affric along forest tracks and as the day went on, we started to the leave the forests and trees behind entering much more rugged and mountainous terrain, with the summits of Kintail in the distance.
In the afternoon the sun broke through, blue skies and very warm, thankfully still a light breeze. We arrived at the Youth Hostel (YH) in the late afternoon, the most remote in Scotland and the closest accommodation we would have in the UK to a European Mountain Hut/Refuge.
There were excellent facility and the OCdts really enjoyed the old school entertainment, monopoly board and books and the good kitchen for cooking/heating food. All really enjoyed the stay in the YH, most slept very well and were pleasantly surprised at the level of comfort in such a remote facility.
DAY 5: Affric Kintail Way – Stage Four (Alltbeithe Youth Hostel to Morvich) 16 km
All had a comfortable night, refreshed and woke up to another dry day with a strong breeze. Breakfast was made easy with the well-equipped kitchen in the YH. Once all kit was packed up, it was a quick daily brief, then outside for a group photo and then back on the trail. The final stage.
The wind had picked up a little but not enough to affect our plans or efforts, the skies were overcast but rain was not forecast. Once on the trail, it wasn’t long before the YH was a dot in the distance and we were in the shadows of the Kintail mountains, the Five Sisters dominating the skyline ahead. The trail was now a mountain path, initially boggy in places then a stoney path.
The first stop was at Camban Bothy, most had heard of bothies but never seen nor stayed in one. The landscape was now much more rugged and mountainous, quite a contrast to the last three days. In the afternoon the path started to descend, views towards Morvich started to open up, the end was in sight.
Some of the OCdts had been waiting on exam results, so there was an impromptu stop as we approached Morvich, since they had internet reception (the first since Cannich). All the news was good. There was a real sense of achievement walking into the campsite in Morvich, and morale went sky high as the fish and chip van followed us in and the evening meal was fish and chips, a just reward after walking 74 km.
Before that the campsite needed to be set up and a quick brief provided on the following day to allow individuals to re-pack/sort their kit. The whole group had done really well considering it was their third week of military training, not even a small ‘wobble’ by anyone, showed good physical and mental robustness throughout.
DAY 6: Meallan Odhar and Ridge from Biod an Fhithich to Shiel Bridge – 10 km
It was a dry morning, breakfast and packed lunches were prepared while concurrently getting kit ready for a day in the mountains. There was a mixed forecast with strong SW winds/gusts above 800m and rain forecast. Following the daily brief, all boarded the two vehicles for drop off at the layby on the A87 in Glen Shiel.
A very short walk on the side of the road then onto the path taking the group up onto the bealach na Craoibhe between Meallan Ohdar and Biod an Fhithich. The first summit of the day was Meallan Odhar at 610, then it was back across to Biod an Fhithich for the second at 616. By this point the weather had changed, heavy rain strong winds and visibility was less than 25m. Waterproofs were on. The group then followed the ridge towards Shiel Bridge. After Biod an Fhithich there was no obvious path to follow, good development for the group in both navigation and route finding/selection.
At lunchtime, for a short break and to get out of the elements the group deployed the bothy bag shelter, demonstrated how to use it and how effective it is for shelter against the elements. All appreciated getting out of the wind and rain for a short period, were impressed at how effective such a simple piece of kit was. Following this the weather improved, sun appeared, wind eased and it wasn’t long before the waterproofs were removed. Much improved afternoon with great views down Loch Duich as far Eilean Donan Castle. The walk conveniently ended at Chocolates of Glenshiel for a well-deserved luxurious hot chocolate and sweet treat.
Back at the campsite, evening meal was a Jambalaya, prepared by OCdt Chrysostomides with a couple of willing ‘sous chefs’. As with all other nights there was no leftovers, seconds and thirds were had, not even the midges could spoil it.
A great final day to the Exercise, typical Scottish mixed weather ending on a high.
DAY 7: Travel Day – Recovery back to Dundee
The campsite was collapsed and breakfast grabbed. All exercise kit was handed back and accounted for and vehicles were packed up ready to go. Both set off heading for Dundee via Spean Bridge and, once back in Dundee, all exercise kit was returned to stores and tents were hung up to dry. Once all the post ex admin was complete, a quick thank you and all departed for their home locations.
Summary and Thanks: The exercise tested participants in unfamiliar and arduous conditions with the emphasis being on developing and enhancing teamwork, unit cohesion, determination and leadership. This was fully tested as the expedition followed directly on from two weeks for military training (Regimental Annual Deployment Exercise) requiring strong mental and physical resilience to complete the 84 km with the Scottish weather and midge just adding to the experience! Activities such as this are also vital to recruitment and retention for the UOTC and encouraging OCdts to look to the Army as a future career both Regular and Reserve.
Of particular note was that the exercise provided OCdt Briggs, recently returned from his Mountain Leader Training course, the opportunity to utilise these planning and leadership skills for the first time, leading one of the groups on the exercise. Six OCdts achieved SMF on the exercise, and two others were identified for progression through the Summer Mountain Leader pathway.
The personnel cost to participants was kept very low and this was mostly down to generous grants from the Ulysses Trust and AIST who both kindly pledged their support. On behalf of the CO, myself (as the Officer in Charge of the exercise) and importantly, all of those who attended, very many thanks. Your support (Ulysses Trust) was hugely appreciated.
OCdt Comments
‘Fantastic to get to know other cadets, in a way you only can through the proximity and physical stress of an expedition.’ OCdt MacGregor
‘EX CHS was an excellent opportunity for me to utilise my planning and leadership skills for the first time since my MLT course. The route was stunningly beautiful and the company was excellent, I couldn’t have asked for a better week!’ OCdt Briggs
‘We had a fantastic time on ex Cadet Highland Sisters, gorgeous views and opportunities to practice our navigation throughout and overall, a hugely beneficial trip. The staff looked after us to a degree beyond what any of us were expecting and the trip was a huge success.’ OCdt Van Hoffen
‘Ex CHS was a great opportunity to practice hill walking skills such as navigation in a beautiful part of Scotland. It has definitely encouraged me to do more hill walking in the future.’ OCdt Kellas
