The Blair Atholl Experience

Finally we headed to Blair Atholl, where we stayed in tents on the grounds surrounding the castle. We had a ton of fun with all the activities that were provided during our stay. Much more fun than anything I have attended in the U.S. It seems they are more lenient with rules and safety which allows for greater quantities of what teenage boys call fun. We didnt get to do everything we wanted because there just wasnt enough time. We did, however, get to go on a crazy obstacle course (Dubbed The Atholl Experience) which included trying to run up a muddy soapy tarp with all the other people pulling you down, a sort of obstacle course ten feet in the air, and some other interesting things. There was also quite a bike ride that culminated in a lengthy descent at breakneck speeds and a couple near saves. We also got a very cool tour of the castle itself, tailored to the present company of 1,500 teenagers, mostly boys, which included fascinating facts about all the different weapons we had ever seen, and introductions to a few we hadnt. (Like the rifle with a twelve foot barrel to try to increase accuracy) They also told us about the only battle ever fought at that castle; 30,000 shots fired in one day and not a single casualty, the ladies of the castle felt so secure they watched from the upper windows of the castle.

One thing that was really new to those of us from California was the rain. It was sort of a constant dribble through the entire day, except at about 4pm when the floodgates would open and drench the encampment. Our tents had no floors so we ended up having a few sleepless nights as a result.

I dont know how to describe its taste other than Marvelous

There were also other benefits of being out of the country, not the least of which was the introduction to a marvelous drink called Irn-Bru. Its a soda that is orange, but I dont know how to describe its taste other than Marvelous, I must admit I drank this in such abundance I developed a small dependence on the caffeine it provided. Another perk to us from the U.S. is that in other countries it is most definitely not the Boy Scouts, rather, just Scouts. I must admit I met a very pretty girl from Ireland named Sarah and I got my first kiss behind her tent after sneaking out in the middle of the night.

The only thing I really wanted to do that I missed out on was the course on Fencing. I have grown up reading books about great adventures with heroes and villains living and dying by the sword, and I desperately wanted to have the chance to prove that I was as good as they.