A great day in Scotland for Highfield’s arrival
A great day for Scotland… Andy Murray an inspiration
Even with cloudy skies, it wasn’t sufficiently dark to need a torch when we met the Highfield team off their coach shortly before midnight last night. In that half-light, the walk down to the Adventure School holds great excitement and many of the pupils had heard stories and seen the photos of brothers, sisters and friends from previous years.
Quick introductions, unpacking, a mug of hot chocolate and a piece of homemade shortbread and then straight to bed.
Today started with a wake up call at 7am for a walk before breakfast. Just 20 minutes takes you up to a high point above the Adventure School where the pupils can see all of the places that they will explore across the week. A first glimpse of Survival Island! It is a place that they have heard a lot about and a night that many of their experiences here will build towards.
The rest of the day has been given over to sea kayaking on Loch A Chadh-Fi and survival skills (fire, food and water) on the shore. The weather is perfect, lovely blue skies and warm sun. It certainly is Scotland at its very best.
After supper this evening the teams set off for a wild camp at the foot of Arkle, the mountain that we hope to summit tomorrow. It certainly won’t be an easy day, but they are here for the challenge and the adventure. It wouldn’t be worth doing if it was easy!
Lara told me this evening, as we drove along the vehicle track to Lone Bothy and our camp spot, that her sister had loved the mountain experience so much when she was here two years ago. But, having heard about it she still couldn’t believe how beautiful the mountain looked on our approach. A low sun casting long shadows across the mountain. Lovely to hear such sincere comments on a place that we love too.
Earlier in the day I caught up with a crackling BBC Radio 5 Live on the wireless, just in time for the final game of Andy Murray’s outstanding victory at Wimbledon and to pass the news on. Great excitement and squawks from the pupils here. Inspiration? I think so.
