News

Campfire sparks residents at Operation Cairngorms

Veterans from across all three SVR residences have returned aglow after memorable days in the woods and nights by the campfire, during a residential trip to Operation Cairngorms.

Ten residents from our residences in Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow, were joined by our Activities duo Darren Morgan and James Moncur, for the expedition to Tarland, Aberdeenshire.

The excellent Operation Cairngorms charity is Veteran-owned and operated, delivering impactful outdoor experiences in the heart of a 50-acre ancient woodland.

Their programmes help individuals reset, reconnect, and rediscover their potential, and the SVR contingent thrived on their experience of the outdoors.

Darren explained: “This was a very different residential; back to living in the outdoors in tents and hammocks and lots of new skills were learnt. It was great to see everyone embracing the skills of fire lighting, foraging, wood chopping and carving, outdoor cooking, tarp/bivi building and along with axe throwing, crossbows, early morning swimming and lots of time spent around the open fire.

“It was hugely successful and hopefully many more residents will want to attend when the word spreads about this great venue.”

Our residents also had their say, and here’s the pick of their feedback:

‘ This is the first time I have slept properly in two years’

‘ When can we return to do this again?’

‘Sitting around the log fire, relaxing and talking- just brilliant’

‘I’ve connected with the outdoors again-I really miss it’

‘Can I take the open log fire with me when we leave?’

For more information about Operation Cairngorms, please visit: https://opcairngorms.org/