Bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award Expeditions Report

Another busy month has seen over one hundred Form III pupils embark on expeditions across the Ochil Hills.  After a week of classroom training, covering vital topics such as rucksack packing, equipment for survival on the hills, navigation, campcraft (including how to produce three course cuisine on a camping stove) and expedition first aid, pupils set off after school on a Friday.  After spending the rest of the afternoon and some of the evening walking, groups camp in the middle of nowhere, with facilities that only stretch to running water (a stream) and a good view (although this is not always guaranteed).  After camp is set up and dinner has been cooked and eaten, a night walk follows: either to watch stars coming out or to practice navigating through thick mist.  On the Saturday of the expedition, groups head upwards and climb the main hills of the Ochils before heading back to Dollar.

The photos here were taken by Mr Johns on the weekend of the 25th/26th May, when the weather was, thankfully, mostly dry.  These pupils will undertake their Bronze assessment expeditions in September (when they are in Form IV).  Silver and Gold expeditions take place in June, following SQA exams – details can be found here.

Friday after school - setting off from top of Glendevon Wide angle team shot in the middle of nowhere Team shot with Ben Cleuch behind to right Descent to the Broich Burn on rough terrain Boys descending to the Broich Burn Contouring up the Grodwell Burn Grodwell Burn - coming into camp Saturday morning - 3 groups toiling up Ben Cleuch Looking north from near summit of Ben Cleuch Final big climb of the day up Kingseat Hill Looking west to Andrew Gannel Hill Wide angle of Kingseat descent Trekking through the jungle (well Dollar Glen) Castle Campbell - almost home now Final descent through Dollar Glen