Sitting around the log fire – just brilliant!

In a successful collaboration between two partners in Scotland’s Veterans Wellbeing Alliance, veterans from Scottish Veterans Residences (SVR) enjoyed memorable days in the woods and nights by the campfire, during a residential trip to Operation Cairngorms.

A group of 10 former Service personnel from SVR’s residences in Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow, were joined by the charity’s Activities Officers Darren Morgan and James Moncur, for the week-long expedition to Tarland, Aberdeenshire.

Operation Cairngorms CIC is a Veteran-owned and operated social enterprise, 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.”

SVR’s 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?”