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Picture of Maj Jim Anderson (OC B Coy), Lt Col Garry Couser (CO) Brig Hughie Munro (Col of HLDRS Regt), Capt Alan Roan (Adjt) and WO1 Rab Johnston (RSM) during Camp 03 in Benbecula.

 

Whiskey (and visitors) Galore

51^st (Highland) Regiment - Annual Camp to the Western Isles

24 May-07 Jun 03

 

by Captain Alan R F Roan (A and SH)

 

  

Having the year previous, exercised in Romania, I was glad that this year we were to visit the Western Isles. I foolishly presumed that because the camp was within Scotland, that it would be relatively straightforward to get all of our detachments to the Isles of Lewis and Benbecula. How wrong I was - talk about trains, planes and automobiles!

 

 Despite the logistical constraints, the Battalion formed up in the two aforementioned locations. The intention was that half the Battalion would spend a week mountain training on Lewis followed by a week field firing on Benbecula. After the first week, a day off was organised and the two groupings would swap over. Throughout the camp, a RRU and sniper cadre was run.

 

The Western Isles proved to be an excellent training location. The rugged skyline allowed effective and innovative training to be conducted. It truly is a beautiful place with a variety of environments to test all. With a robust logistical element, the Jocks were rarely wanting for anything. Of particular note was the extreme kindness displayed by all the local islanders toward the troops, in particular that of the staff of QuineitiQ; the private company that now runs Benbecula ranges.    

 

Fortunately for some, Benbecula is infamous for it’s freshwater fishing. This in turn attracted many external visitors such as; GOC 2 Div ( I don’t think he caught anything) , Comd 51 Scottish Bde ( no comment as he writes my CR) and the Regimental Colonel of The Highlanders Regiment ( I don’t think he actually made it to the water). Even COS and SO2 G1 from 51 Scottish Bde managed a “liaison visit” ( after about a weeks effort they did catch a few).  There were of course the obligatory media visits.  Thankfully to facilitate all this VIP movement we had attached to us a Gazelle from 3 Flight. Many thanks to Rob and Jason for your patience

 

In hindsight, a fantastic training location which is seldom used. They even do a nice local malt!

 

Poit Dubh.