13/06/2026
At the beginning of May, five Cadets from the Squadron set out on their Silver Duke of Edinburgh qualifying expedition, spending three days exploring the stunning landscapes of Royal Deeside.
Starting in Crathie, the team headed through the Balmoral Estate before climbing towards Gelder Shiel. From there, they descended into Glen Muick and made their way to the Spittal of Glenmuick, where they set up camp for their first night. The weather provided a mixture of sunny spells and passing showers throughout the day, but spirits remained high as they settled in for the evening.
Day two saw the cadets undertake a circular route around Loch Muick, taking in some of the area's most iconic scenery. An additional section beyond Glas-allt Shiel allowed the team to explore further into the hills beneath Lochnagar. While low cloud frequently covered the higher ground, occasional breaks revealed the mountain rising above the landscape, rewarding the cadets with glimpses of the dramatic scenery surrounding the loch. After completing the route, the team returned to the Spittal of Glenmuick for a second night under canvas.
On the final day, the cadets broke camp and crossed onto the western side of the Water of Muick before heading north through Glen Muick towards Ballater, where they successfully completed their expedition.
Over the course of the three days, the cadets demonstrated excellent navigation, teamwork and resilience, adapting well to the varied weather conditions and challenges of the route. Having successfully completed their Silver Duke of Edinburgh qualifying expedition, they can be extremely proud of their achievement and the effort they put in throughout. 👏🏕️🥾
