Survival Island before some exciting weather on Wednesday

Tuesday night was perfect for the young people to head to the island. A dry evening forecast with a reasonable breeze is ideal at this time of year. Anticipating the weather on Wednesday, we moved the survival skills and sea fishing to the start of the summer camp so that we could deploy to the island earlier than usual if necessary. On Tuesday morning, all that was left to do was a quick look at the old yacht sails from English Rose VI that can be used to make makeshift tents on the island and the wilderness orienteering course that we call ‘search to survive’.

‘Search to survive’ is the first time the young people work independently in this wild and rugged landscape. Teamwork to the fore to cover over two square kilometres of the Ardbeg peninsula, navigating to isolated wooden posts that carry a code to unlock the flint and steel the team will need to create fire on the island.

The teams stayed high on the peninsula for their packed lunch before returning to the adventure school for a slice of cake, final preparations, and then a boat journey to the island.

We tend not to get many photos of the young people on the island. It is their night, and we do not want to interfere with it. Zak, Kat, and Polly, who were providing emergency standby cover on the island last night, managed to get a few pictures with a zoom lens. Great bivvy camps were established, their mackerel supplementing the meagre rations box and a beautiful sunset. There were a few midges in the more sheltered spots and some overnight rain, but that is all part of the Highlands at this time of year.

We expect a brief spell of wild weather this afternoon and overnight into Thursday. The sleepy heads at breakfast this morning will be rewarded with a rest after breakfast and then some team tasks and games during the worst weather before we head back into the wilds on Thursday.

The young people are doing brilliantly, mixing well in their teams and across all ages.