Scouts take to the hills for challenge

Oct 9 2009 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

HARDY Scouts from all over Perth and Kinross descended on hills to the west of Perth for the second annual challenge hike.

Teams made up of between four and six orienteers were competing for the James Lawrie Challenge Trophy in Glen Almond.

On arrival the 46 male and female competitors put up their tents and gathered for a briefing before their first challenge, preparing their route card for the following day’s walk.

The competitors woke at 6.30 to find the weather was dry and overcast. After breakfast and a last-minute equipment check they were transported to their starting locations for the challenge hike, with more than 20 adult marshals providing essential safety cover and running a series of bases around the course.

Over the next six hours the teams tackled the 8km circular course along rough tracks and across trackless moorland and hillside, having to use maps and compasses for direction.

Along the way the teams were tested on a variety of tasks, including first aid, map and compass, emergency procedures, team initiative tests and crate climbing.

The teams had to plan their routes between checkpoints and points were awarded for accuracy of travel time and the performance at the bases.

The event finished at 4pm when the competitors and marshals were all brought back safely to the base camp for well-earned refreshments.

Scores were added together while the Scouts changed into dry clothes and took down their tents for the trophy presentation and closing ceremony.

The teams were competing for a trophy which was donated in memory of James Lawrie, a district Scout leader who was tragically killed in a mountain accident. James, who was a keen hill walker, would have thoroughly approved of the Scouts’ efforts over the day.

It was appreciated that his parents were able to travel from Glen Etive to present the award to the winning team from the 10th Perthshire (Perth Academy) troop, who narrowly beat teams from Auchterarder and Bankfoot to the trophy.