Summer Campp to Lochgoilhead

We hope to go to Lochgoilhead from 28th July until 4th August.

A note will go home for bookings.

Regional Camp May 18-20 2012

Bringing together all the scout sections from Highlands and Islands on the shores of Loch Ness, this weekend camp follows the themes of water, earth, fire and air.

Chief Scout, Bear Grylls will be flying in to visit!

Cost £35.


More details to follow

Queen's Scout enters Antarctic record books

Bryony Balen, a Queen Scout Award adventurer, has become the youngest Briton to ski from the edge of the Antarctic landmass at the Hercules Inlet to the Geographic South Pole.



Hostile but beautiful terrain
The team of five adventurers – with a mix of different levels of experience – tackled some of the coldest and most hostile terrain, with inclines of 3,000m, to cover the total 1,135km in just 56 days. Most expeditions of this type allow 60 and plan for 70 days. Temperatures of around minus 12 degrees Celsius where not the only challenges the team had to contend with. They faced whiteout conditions, sastrugi – the sharp ridges caused by snow erosion – and frozen condensation blocking their goggle vision. This is on top of the expected lack of sleep and exhaustion of skiing for eight hours a day while lugging ski sleds full of tents and equipment, plus a 60kg backpack containing food and supplies.

Be prepared
But, as a scout, Bryony knows that preparation is everything. The expedition took a total of three-and-a-half years to plan, including a gap year from her geography studies at Newcastle University: ‘... to focus on a fierce training regime and prepare myself mentally and physically for the challenge ahead.’

Alongside the physical fitness training at her University sports centre, Bryony had to ensure her body’s endurance for the expedition by putting on nearly 20kg. The planning phase also included the calculations for the nutrition needed to feed the team for the total number of days, plus the logistics of packing it all onto their sleds. There was mental motivation to consider, and, as Bryony’s aim was to raise funds for charity, a fundraising partner also had to be found in difficult economic times.

Historic footsteps
Bryony celebrated her 21st birthday while on the expedition. The team also took time out to remember the groundbreaking adventurers whose legendary footsteps they were following. The team paused on 17 January, the date that marked 100 years since Captain Scott’s ill-fated Terra Nova expedition reached the Pole.

Building an adventure
Bryony says the expedition built on her enthusiasm for outdoor activities and personal challenges. She credits its success to her previous experience of teamwork and preparation for other expeditions she has organised as well as the challenges involved in completing her Queen’s Scout Award.
Bryony rightly acknowledges: ‘I think it's safe to say I'll never have a boring life!’

Navigation and Seamanship Course

Suitable for Explorers. If you would to apply for a place, please contact the skipper:

Chanonry will be running the RYA Essential Navigation & Seamanship shorebased course at the Club on 18/19 February; the cost will be £50/student to include practice charts, plotter, dividers, almanac, handbook. CD & certificate.

Ceilidh – Saturday 14th January

Gordon Memorial Hall, Rosemarkie ; 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm



For anyone interested in a ceilidh this Saturday to banish the New Year blues, tickets for the above event are available from Fortrose Academy school reception for £5 each. Music is provided by “Champin' at the Bit” and hopefully some of the school’s own Ceilidh Band. This is a fundraiser for the school’s Arctic Exchange.



Admission is by ticket only. For more info contact Jane Young (620323) or Gerry Beasley (621268)

Bear Grylls introduces new leader

Click on the Title link

Happy New Year & Welcome Back

Sea Scouts restart on Friday 13th January 2012 at 1900 in Avoch School.

For those moving up from Cubs, please wear your cub uniform.

Subs for this term are due at £25.

For new parents, please drop in with your child to complete a few forms.

Friday 1900-2100.