Thursday 6 November 2014

Stromness Gold Munro

On the 4th June the Stromness Academy Gold group (Halina Romaniszyn, Ingrid Kerr, Aidan Morrison and David Porteous) met their expedition assessors in Ballater to set out their aims as part of the Flag a Munro Challenge. That they had decided to flag five Munros (a mountain above 3000ft), as part of an expedition which would see them walk 50 miles in four days, across the remote and wild Southern Cairngorms, was a cause of some anxiety to the two assessors who had only just met our young folk. It didn’t help that they were straight off the bus from Aberdeen and dressed as if ready for a shopping trip!



In the event, on day three of their expedition, the group took the decision to shorten their day by taking a straight line across the high plateau above Loch Muick and forgo the summit of Munros 2 and 3. This change of route would save them about a kilometre of walking and a couple of hundred meters of ascent, but would mean that (if they maintained their current pace) they would arrive on Lochnagar (the highest point of their expedition at 1115m), and have time to descend before dark. This was a remarkable decision; a fine example of careful planning, rationale thinking and good group judgement. It was the moment when I realised how far the group had come in their experiences of expedition through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award; that not only were they utterly deserving of their Gold Award, but that they were now ready to move beyond this and begin to make their own adventures in the hills. They arrived on the summit of Lochnagar, some hours later, with just enough energy to slice the chocolate cake which they had carried for three days, and stumble back down the mountain to their final camp. They sat for a few moments in awe, looking down through a rainbow, to the corrie lochans, nestled below huge cliffs. A day later, back in Ballater, their assessors had no hesitation in declaring that Halina, Ingrid, Aidan and David had comfortably passed their Gold Award. Their initial anxiety and doubt about how four 18 year olds would accomplish such an expedition, had given way to a knowing respect for their abilities and resolve in achieving all they had done.

Well done and congratulations! I am sure your achievements will be an inspiration to current pupils who are embarking this year on Bronze, Silver and Gold expeditions.

Dan Walmsley
PT Guidance


Tuesday 7 October 2014

The Munro map expands again

The Munro map needs to be expanded yet again. Borders were no object for DofE Scottish Advisory Committee Member Alistair. He, and fellow DofE supporters Alan and Mike, climbed to the top of the Grunten (1730 m). In addition to flagging the 'Munro' the trio were also marking an important milestone - 25 years since the first time they summited the hill together. Alan has climbed it each year since the first time, Mike 23 of those years. Alistair made up for only doing it 10 times by finding the geocache at the top - his 3rd attempt for it.


Even though the Flag a Munro Challenge is official over, you can still get on the blog. Send us in your photos and stories - we love hearing from you. 

Friday 19 September 2014

Commonwealth Connections Scrapbook

We've collected a whole heap of stories from all the DofE Scotland Commonwealth Connections Projects, including Flag a Munro. You can have a flip through the book below and even download a copy of your own to help you remember your contributions to Commonwealth Connections.
If you click on the box you can read it in full screen and get the option to download it.

Wednesday 6 August 2014

Outlook Adventures Flag

A group of intrepid flaggers from Outlook Adventures Scotland took to Mullach Clach a Bhlair in the Southern Cairngorms last week. Erin, Sarah, Lucy, Lizzie, Fiona, Natasha and Dani sumitted the Munro on the third day of their Gold Qualifying Expedition. The girls later described it as the highlight of their expedition and a very proud moment.

Thanks so much to the girls and the team at Outlook Adventures for continuing on the Flag a Munro journey beyond the dates of the challenge. If you're interested in joining the challenge, drop an email to us at Scotland@DofE.org

Wednesday 30 July 2014

FAM closed but you can keep flagging

The Flag a Munro Challenge has now officially closed, but if you're still really keen to participate send an email to jamie.mitchell@dofe.org and she'll send you out a pack. Send in any pictures you get and they can still go up on the blog!

Monday 21 July 2014

FAM Celebrated in Style

On Sunday, 20th July we celebrated Flag a Munro at the first event at Scotland House - the base for Scottish athletes during the Commonwealth Games. 

We were thrilled to have some of the flaggers at the event and thanks to everyone who could make it. All the signatures on the flag were collected to help us remember the event.



Aileen Campbell, Minister for Children and Young People and Paul Zealey, Head of Engagement and Legacy at Glasgow 2014,were on hand to accept this from the Flag a Munro Challenge. 



It is a collection of all of the Flag a Munro photos that you sent in - if you look really closely you should be able to find yours!

Thanks to the Inverness Royal Academy for sending in the photo that we used for the mosaic.

And thanks to all of you who participated in the Flag a Munro Challenge! Your hard work and determination has been above and beyond our dreams. You've really made Legacy 2014 come to life for the DofE, so thanks!

We still have some extra Flag a Munro flags and hand flags left, so if you'd like one as a souvenir, send us an email scotland@dofe.org with your name and address.


Wednesday 16 July 2014

Crazy Cat on Beinn Dearg

Cat Newsheller from Argyll and Bute flagged Beinn Dearg for the challenge - she's affectionately known as Crazy Cat in A&B ;)