The Official Website for the Blair Atholl International Jamborette

Camp Diary

This page will be updated daily with details of the days activity on camp, comments and photographs from the over 1000 Scouts and Leaders at the Jamborette.

Pictures with a border can be clicked on to see a full sized picture. From this you can scroll through the range of pictures in this section.

Jamborette Programme 2008

The Blair Atholl Kastle Main Events 2008

Each night something special is happening in the Kastle. From eight till late this is where it's happening.

Wednesday 23rd is the Kastle Opening Disco. Get your dancing shoes on. After the PL's supper make your way to the Kastle to boogie on down to the official opening of the Kastle.

Thursday 24th role up, role up, role up for all the fun of the fair at the Kastle Karnival. Try your luck at hooking ducks or the coconut shy. Get your face painted and have a jig on the dance mat. If you are feeling energetic, queue up for inflatable fun, Shaggy The Sheep, Gladiator Dual Fighting, Pole Jousting, Bungee Run, Extreme Assault Course and a Giant Slide

Friday 25th - It's Blair Atholl's Got Talent. A talent show for all, in the Kastle this evening. Get up on stage and perform to the whole camp show the talent your country has to offer

On Sunday 27th, Khaos In The Kastle. Say farewell to our satellite campers at this traditional Spooky Haloween themed evening. Come dressed for the occasion. Dooking For Apples, Ghost Walk, Spooky Spinner and Wheels of Fire, Come along and find out what we have to offer.

Can you see yourself as the next Leona Lewis or Jordin Sparks then come and take part in  BLAIR IDOL, Monday 28th kicks off the week with an Blair Idol Karaoke Show off your singing skills or just vote for your favourite performer of the night!

Tuesday 28th, it must be Blair Atholl?s Gameshow Marathon ? Each subacamp will have to enter teams to take part in famous TV gameshows such as Family fortunes, The Weakest Link and Play your Cards Right. If you win you will help your Uncle survive humiliation and the indignity of the gunge tank. At the end of each game the loosing sub-camp uncle will be sent to the gunge tank.

And after ALL that it's definitely going to be a night to remember. Wednesday 30th, Kastle Keilidh, After your Burns Supper make your way down to the Kastle for some traditional Scottish Dancing with Scotch In A Box Ceilidh Band and enjoy a Burger at the BBQ.

Camp Diary 2008

Monday 21st July 2008

The day has arrived for the arrival of the Scottish Scouts. However over the last 5 or 6 days members of the Camp Staff have been work hard make the preparations on site for this years camp. Meters of electrical cable and water pipes have been laid across the field, marquees pitched, sub camp areas marked out for each patrol. The majority of Scottish camp staff arrived on Saturday morning to help and slow but sure, the camp site takes shape and the Kastle, which is the social center of the camp is now taking shape. This will continue throughout today in readiness for the opening of the camp tomorrow.

A beautiful summer morning in all respects apart from the temperature. There is quite a chill in the air, although when you are in the sun you can feel the heat. Click here to see the forecast for the next few days - and it looks promising.

The first Scottish contingent arrived on site at 9 a.m.

After checking in it was off to meet their sub-camp staff and start work at setting up their camp area.

Progressively through the day the remaining 72 Scottish patrols arrived.

Worked continued into the evening, preparing their campsites for their guests who will arrive in the morning.

Later in the evening, each sub-camp moved round a number of bases where they were given the "Do and Don't's" all aimed at making their of the camp covering activities, administration, health and safety, handling of food etc, all aimed at making sure that the will have a safe and enjoyable camp.

Tuesday 22nd July 2008

Yesterday's temperatures made a difference to the overnight temperature and today started off very pleasant as the patrols continued their work in building the campsites

The first International arrivals were heralded in by a piper just after 10.30 this morning and there was a continuous flow through to around 3.30 p.m.

One of the American contingents arrived with a rendering of 'Scotland the Brave' using tubes - very effective.

It has been another scorcher here, and when swimming was cancelled one of the patrols from Dumfriesshire created their own "pool".

Dumfries Cool off	International leaders meeting	The sub-camps gather	The torches are lit

In the early part of the evening, there was a meeting with the International Leaders and the senior camp staff when the Camp Chief and his team briefed the leaders on the various aspects of the camp, health and safety, medical matters etc.

Later in the evening saw the official opening of the Camp by the Camp Chief, John Kennedy. This was followed by camp fires in the individual sub-camps. The evening finished with a short firework display.

Eva lights the McLean Camp Fire	The MacDonald Sub Camp	The Morrison Sub Camp	The Stewart Sub Camp
The Robertson Sub Camp	The Murray Sub Camp	The MacLean Sub Camp	Fireworks

Wednesday 23rd July 2008

Today saw the start of activities for everyone, some on site and others off site. Over the coming days we will publish a wide selection of these featuring different members of the camp.

It has been another glorious day here in Blair Atholl, but very hot whilst in the sun.

Crafts	Backwoods Cooking	Pioneering	Living History

The evening the leaders ate with the Patrols in the sub-camps, which gave the catering staff a break - quite a task to prepare three meals a day for over 400 people. later on came the Kastle opening disco - the places is bouncing at the moment.

As can be seen through the stage smoke, it is a pretty tech theatre come disco area, with all the special effect lighting, smoke generators and a projector for showing films.

Thursday 24th July 2008

Into the second day of activities, another great morning. It has been a bit cooler today and a few strong gusts of wind which caused a few problems around the Kastle, but the service team soon had everything under control again without any disruption.

As you can imagine, the logistics of catering for a camp this size is considerable.

The queue for breakfast rations, and the rations lined up in the quartermasters store and then their are the staff, who have their meals prepared by a catering team of leaders (on most days they prepare 3 meals a day with a choice.

We have mentioned the Kastle, but until today we did not have a picture of it. For old Blairites, the Kastle has replaced the Kross this year.

The kastle is the social center, the Kafe, Kastle Kurrency (the bank) and Korresonance (Post Office)- all with new looks this year.

And this evening was the Karnival in the Kastle - plenty of colour games and hype and a live band to make it swing.

Friday 25th July 2008

Wow, what a change this morning, a full cover of cloud but it was dry and a bit cooler. At least one of the Scots thought it was back to winter - but, honestly, it was not the bad.

My programme for the morning was to go out to the water sports and get some pictures there and then to site for lunch.

When I arrived the canoes and yachts were already on Loch Tummel and the cloud was covering the tops of the surrounding hills - why did I choose today to come out to this beautiful spot.

One of the leaders assured me the water was somewhat chilly but undaunted he was up to his chest sometimes in the water, helping the youngsters learn the technique of using canoe paddles - rather him than me :-)

After a section of photographs, it was of for a sly visit to Pitlochry to see if I could find some of the visiting Scouts, before heading back to camp.

And the weather had totally changed by the time I had got back and everyone was again basking in sunshine.

Back to the backwoods cooking- this time the meal was ready, and there was a desert and it looked yummy. Kastle Kurrents where , the youngsters were preparing today's edition, the Activities Office where all the scheduling is done and a visit to the newly arrived Satellite Camp, where Cub Scouts, Scouts and Explorer Scouts can come and join the experience for a week-end - but places are limited to 300 people. Whilst at the Satellite, which is in an adjoining field, the youngsters have the opportunity to visit the main camp and also try some of the activities.

This evening in the Kastle - Blair Atholl's Got Talent - and believe me it has - individual and groups will have the opportunity to demonstrate this to everyone - but of course many of the leaders will not have the opportunity to see this as they are now preparing for Visitors Day tomorrow. Fear not they will have there own special rendering of the show one night next week.

Saturday 26th July 2008

Another cloudy morning but quite warm. Cloud was quite heavy and we did hear that it was raining in Perth.

A normal morning, breakfast followed by inspection and then set about preparing for Visitors Day. There is quite a lot behind this as the various patrols have requirements - tables, chairs, cookers and lets not forget the ingredients that they require for any food that they are preparing.

As the time moved on, the weather improved and by midday we were back in the sun which stayed with us the rest of the day. Mid afternoon was really warm again and an estimated 2000 people attended visiting day at Blair.

Gates opened at one and they flooded in. Parents and friends walked round the camp site visiting the sub camps and often meeting up with old friends if they themselves were involved in Scouting. At 2 p.m. the traditional parade from the front gate up the the fair flag pole where John broke the flag to mark the opening of the fair.

The band warms up..	..and then leads the parade..	..to the flag pole	Satellite campers making pancakes
try the Lasso technique	A variant of a ducking stool	Canadian Badges for exchange	One of the "Blair's Got talent" teams

The Fair went on until around 5 p.m. Many of the visiting parents took their children off site and in some instances where the Home Hospitality had been arranged, took their guest with them - others wandered into Blair Atholl itself for a look around, before returning for the camp fire in the evening.

There was an excellent turnout of parents and friends at the camp fire which lasted just over the hour.

Sunday 27th July 2008

Sunday was soon on us - and what a change in the weather from seven days ago. Last Sunday (20th July) the temperature was around 3 degrees C ( degrees F) and people that were out and about at 7.a.m. were well wrapped up.

This morning it was very pleasant, you could walk around with a tee shirt quite comfortably. There had been some light rain overnight which helped freshen the place up. Cloud was still low as can be seen in the picture of the Blair Castle, but by 9 a.m. the sun had broken through.

7 a.m.- 27 July		1 p.m. - 27th July

The day gradually improved and once again became very warm. This morning was the traditional Scout's Own at Blair Castle and there was a good turnout of parents and friends as well as many visitors. The whole camp marched up to the Castle led by a Scout Pipe Band - A few songs, some readings by various nationalities and the gathering paraded back to camp.

After lunch, there was an afternoon of International games where the various counties

Monday 28th July 2008

Another storming start to the day - look back to yesterday's pictures of Blair Castle and compare with noon today.

Activities re-start this morning after the week-end festivities. I spent this morning on the Atholl Experience, but stayed on the clean side of the line despite of having a number of offers of a hug from many of the participants - but I have to think of my camera and declined their kind offers. You will see why below.....

The Atholl Experience involves completing a number of challenges through mud and water. More of this can be seen in the Gallery. The experience ends up in the River Tilt, where there is the opportunity to get the worst of the mud off - the normal next stop is the camp showers :-)

After lunch my plans were to target "Ready Steady Cook" and the archery but my camera decided that it was time I took a rest - the battery went flat on - I was forced to take it easy for the rest of the afternoon - perhaps a good thing as it was really hot in the sun, but there were a few places under the trees with a nice cool breeze blowing through.

So I am afraid the selection of pictures from today is not as many as usual. Normal service will be resumed tomorrow.

A few pictures of the cooking and one of the archery before I had to retire defeated. We shall return tomorrow. To night, in the Kastle, Blair Idol - should be entertaining.

Tuesday 29th July 2008

6 o'clock this morning, it wa low cloud as in the past few mornings, but within 30 minutes it was raining and this continued for around 2 hours, mostly light but with the occasional heavy shower. There were some interesting techniques displayed on how to et your fire lit :-)

Then the sun was back.

We also made the BBC Web site today after a number of the Scouts and John Kennedy were interviewed.

This morning I started off by going back to "Ready Steady Cook" and that is as far as I got this morning - it was impressive - groups of 5 or 6 youngsters of different nationalities tasked with preparing a main course and a sweet in around 90 minutes. Wow! and what they produced out of some potato, rice, bacon, an aubergine, onion, spring onion, an orange and a bar of chocolate.

More in the gallery. But who were the winners? Well, having watched the whole performance, I had my mind made up before the judges appeared and I was right.

The answer is at the bottom of the Diary. Belief me there is skill out there, some of these youngsters have a future as a chef if they so desire.

The afternoon was dry apart from one shower. Some of the activities were cancelled an alternatives put into the Kastle, whilst others simply moved in to the Kastle.

I paid a visit to the archery this afternoon and just managed, if you look, closely to capture the arrow immediately after it was released and then got some more climbers on the climbing wall.

The evening started dry, but at the moment 1940 GMT, it is chucking it down and this cabin is heavy with people, some using the internet and others simply sheltering and talk.

This evening in the Kastle - The Blair Atholl Gameshow Evening and believe people who are not there do not know what they are missing. The Staff Club, this evening, is being treated to a re-run of Blair Atholl's got talent.

Wednesday 30th July 2008

A bright morning as the last day on activities starts, but there has been some heavy rain overnight - and that is the way we prefer it.

This morning I have some pictures from the "International Night" in the Staff Club last night, donated by one of the Canadian leaders and I also hope to receive some pictures from the Hill Team on the Gorge Walking and Hill will walking as the day goes on.

Much of my day today was spent answering emails from local papers and supplying pictures to them for this week's edition and answerring emails from various people. Thee a few new pictures

In the evening, there was a Staff Burns Supper, but for a change I opted to join one of the sub camps to see how they marked the event (see last picture above).

The evening finished off with a Keilidh in the Kastle.

Thursday 31st July 2008

All to quick, te last full day of camp is on us. A bit overcast initially, but the sun is out and it is very humid.

This morning is 'Atholl Antics' loads of silly games and challenges around the camp site in front of the Camp Chief and the sub-camp leaders as the sub-camps compete for points.

A few shots here, but many more in the Picture Gallery.

Then the work starts to strike camp - all the gateways that have been built are stripped back down, and by this evening the bare essentials will be left standing on site - and the rest of the stuff will have been packed away or stored way in local storeage space for safe keeping until 2010.

Much of the pioneering timbers and the patrol tents were all packed away - the tents may have been slightly damp - but now at 2000 hrs GMT it is pouring outside. There is going to be a lot of wet tentage going home tomorrow.

Tonight, the final camp fire..... a late night.

The rain has continued off and on all evening and as a result the closing camp fire has had to be re-thought. The Kastle was rapidly converted to allow the subcamps to sit undercover around a repositioned camp fire and the show went ahead albeit not quite the way that had been hoped for.

It was still a moving experience, especially as the candles held by the camp members were slowly extinguished as you can see in the pictures.

No doubt a few tears shed as well as new made friends part company to all parts of the world in the morning.

Friday 1st August 2008

The Final Final parting

During the morning and early afternoon, the Scottish scouts will be heading for home taking with them some of the International Scouts for a few days Home Hospitality before they head across the seas again.

Some of the International Scouts will be heading straight home as they arrived before the Jamborette, others will be touring Scotland and England before heading home

One thing is for sure,every one who was here in 2008 will remember the experience of the last 10 or 11 days and the many new friends they have made - and of course the many re-unions that took place amongst the leaders, many of whom have been making the pilgrimage back to Blair Atholl for many years.

Haste ye back in 2010

There have been comments passed onto me from many parents about the way the web pages keep them in touch with what is happening at the Blair Atholl comments - and I have certainly been the target of many cameraa this year - personally I prefer the other side of the camera, but I guess people are getting their own back apart from anything else. I have been challenged to put one more picture on this web site this year, taken by the parent of one of the my Explorer Scouts - so Nigel, just to satisfy you, and to let those interested in seeing who is mad enough to sit here every night bulding these pages - here it is.

So that it it for another two years - as the details on Blair Atholl 2010 become available next year, details will appear as usual.

Bob, Webmaster - Blair Atholl Jamborette.

The answer to the Tuesday 29th "Ready Steady Cook" was
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