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ADVANCED CAMP 2003 Troop B's finest hit the Scottish Highlands 24 - 28 May 2003 We often get accused of being the most adventurous scout troop that anybody's ever heard of. Determined to prove everybody right, we headed for the third year running north of the border for our Advanced Camp 2003. We took our patrol leaders - the oldest in the troop for a very adventurous few days... Venue We camped in and around the Lochaber and Glencoe area. Wild Camping We wild camped on three nights in some stunning locations - Glen Nevis beneath the amazing Stealle Falls (okay, not directly beneath them, but almost), in the tranquil Glen Etive (next to the canyon section) and next to the King's House Hotel in Glencoe itself. A totally natural experience in self-sufficiency as scouts took care of their own catering too. The Nevis 3 Wire bridge The standard 'welcome to the Highlands' activity meant a crossing of the three wire bridge in Glen Nevis. We'd just got up, so this was a nice way to get the blood pumping and allows you to see Stealle Falls close up (er, like, really close up). Mountain biking Hire some bikes, put your helmet on, fall over in the car park and then bomb it around the Leanachan Forest. Excellent trails heading downhill from the top, with incredible views out across the sea loch. We reckon we did some record-breaking speeds, swooshing down the tracks, gliding through the switchbacks and generally taking in the sunshine. Buachaille Etive Mor We got to the summit of Buachaille Etive Mor the more interesting way - via the classic Curved Ridge - a very exhilirating scramble with views over Rannoch Moor to take your breathaway all the way. Curved Ridge is graded as a grade 2 or 3 scramble, or a Moderate rock climb, depending on which book you look at. Whatever, it's great fun and the scouts took the exposure and tricky manouvres in their stride all the way to the top. We used a rope on some of the tricky bits, but hey, that's sensible. One of our top ever days on the hill, and everybody still owes Ed a tenner each for getting the time back to the car wrong (and he got it right). Ben Nevis Simply the biggest mountain in the UK. We hiked up to the North Face and then scrambled up the knife-edge Carn Mor Dearg Arete, which takes a little concentration to negotiate. Five hours later we were on the roof of Britain and enjoying the snow - quite a bizarre experience when it's almost June, but it just goes to show what a serious undertaking an day on the Ben can be. We loved it, took in the summit and headed safely down to the cars. Gorge Walking On our final morning, this time in Lochgoilhead, we spent a couple of hours gorge walking with the scout centre based there. Splashing about in an ice cold mountain river, crawling behind waterfalls, etc. got us suitable clean and refreshed for the journey home. Train travel The most cost-effective and hassle-freeway of getting to Scotland we have found is by train then hire car. Train travel is comfy and allows you to stretch your legs and play cards. Unfortunately our train got back to London Euston a bit behind schedule, but hats of to Virgin Trains and National Rail for paying for cabs all the way home. A quite brilliant trip away to the Scottish Highlands - which really is another world. We will definitely be back. Next trip planned: April 2004!