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30-Jul-11
After Mustering at the unit yesterday, we experienced some epic scenery of the mountains and the loch itself on the drive down to start our Loch Ness adventure on the ‘MV Confidante’.

On arrival onboard the ship, a short brief from Captain Anderson and it was time for some traditional shipboard Friday food – fish and chips.
Then we settled in, made our OWN beds! (some of us did struggle . . . slightly) and managed to grab some shore leave on a beautiful summers evening. After that, we treated ourselves to sun-downers on the Bridge Deck (a coca-cola).

Following a sound (noisy!!) nights sleep it was an early start with call the hands at 0645hrs, needless to say some were happier than others . . . such is shipboard life! After cabin inspection at 0715Hrs it was time for some scran. Full fry up, cereal and yoghurts were on offer, what a way to start the day!

First job to get the day started was colours, hoisting the Merchant Navy Ensign at 0800Hrs. Straight after that, it was hands to stations as we prepared to let go and make our way down the Fort Augustus flight of 4 locks.
We were taught to prepare the forward mooring station, throwing the heaving line, and tying off the ropes.

Leaving the bottom lock we were now in Loch Ness and subjected to breath taking views which all onboard found awesome.
On Loch Ness the cadets got involved in the navigation and steering the vessel (some better than others). All of the cadets enjoyed their turn acting as the lookout, Quartermaster and Navigator.
Before long we were approaching Dochgarroch Lock where we again entered the Caledonian Canal. Again we were at stations while the Captain put us carefully alongside. On our way down the canal towards Inverness it was time for lunch . . . finally!

Tomato soup, hamburgers and spare ribs were on the menu this time. After some fine cuisine from the Chief Cook we started to a tidy up of cabins and packing our bags.

On arrival in Inverness we had a 2-hour wait for the Muirtown flight of locks and the cadets took this opportunity to relax before we were called to mooring stations and the last leg of our trip down the five locks and through the swing bridge to the Muirtown Basin, and arrival at Inverness. The ship was bunkering there, and we took our leave.

Many thanks to Captain Anderson and his crew once again for a fantastic trip, experiencing life under the Red Duster.

(More photos)

29th Apr – 2nd May 2011
Forty one cadets and 19 staff from Orkney, Thurso, Wick, Moray, Inverness and Lochaber Units of Highland District, and an instructor from Helensburgh Unit, gathered in Inverness on the Friday night for our DAfT (District AFloat Training) weekend. There were courses in four disciplines on offer - power boating, sailing, rowing, and paddlesports.

After breakfast and Colours on Saturday morning, we headed to the Muirtown Basin on the Caledonian Canal and Loch Dochfour for the practical elements of our courses.
Following the evening meal, we all went back to the Muirtown Basin and had a District Pulling, sorry, Rowing Regatta.

At Colours on Sunday, Chief McNeill (Wick) was presented with his Cadet Forces Medal for 12 years dedication to the Corps, Orkney Unit were presented with the Grigor Cup for the best Unit in the District 2010 (based on UR scores, beating Inverness by 0.1 points!!), and Thurso took the trophy for winning the District Rowing competition (again!). Then it was back on the water for more course work and assessments. Today the powerboaters locked out of the canal and completed their exercises on salty water.
Sunday night after a barbeque, we all went to Bught Park and played cricket, just for a change.

Monday we tidied up, moved some boats around, awarded the massive 69 boating qualifications achieved, including a Sea Cadet Coxswains Badge (the only one in the District currently) to AC Raffle from Thurso, before dispersing after a very satisfying weekend.

Many thanks to the all the staff who make it happen, even those that didnt always feel needed were essential to the smooth operation.

Another amazing and very satisfying result!
Well done everyone!

15-Apr-11
Captain Rose of 7 Scots, C Coy 2IC, organised Exercise Jacobite Trail 2011 to retrace one of the possible routes taken by the Jacobite Forces on the eve of The Battle of Culloden in 1746 when they marched towards Nairn "off the main roads" in an unsuccessful bid to surprise the Government Army. This happened on the night of 15/16 April 11 to coincide with the 265th Anniversary of the last battle fought on British soil.

The full exercise was a night march for adult reservists in the Northern Highland RFCA Area starting at Culloden House, now a Hotel, finishing at Culloden Battlefield around first light on 16th April. Teams from Inverness Sea Cadets, Inverness & Moray ACF, and Inverness ATC took part in the first part which followed a forest footpath between Balloch and Loch Flemington, about 7 miles away, with "Battlescar", a 1745 Rebellion re-enactment company, supporting rest stops about every mile.

One of the (if not the?) best of these breaks was a demonstration feeding stand with hot soup and oatcakes (but Sir is always hungry, and all he did was drive the minibus!)
And it good to report that the weather was better than it was 165 years ago, no rain this time, and there were no lasting aches and pains that a good sleep didnt fix!