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The 2024 Scottish Branch Gathering took place at the Pitbauchlie House Hotel over the period 7th & 8th June 2024, back to our normal time of the first weekend in June. This was our fourth time back at the Hotel but the first time we have been able to return in June, due to Covid and securing the venue and rooms when we wanted them. At last, we’re now back!
Friday commenced with the SB Golf Competition, which was held at Morton Hall GC in Edinburgh, thanks to Maj (Retd) Billy Young who’s a club member. Ten hopeful golfers faced a long tricky course made more difficult by some very varied Scottish weather conditions. This year for the first time we held a “Best Putt” competition with a medal donated by Mr Colin Clapperton in memory of Maj (Retd) Dougie McGill. Colin will donate this medal free of charge for all future events. A big thanks to Maj (Retd) Tom Parker who also donated a small sterling silver cup in memory of Dougie - this will be competed for next year once we have it properly mounted and inscribed.
Trophies this year were won by:
• Scratch Winner – Maj (Retd) Billy Young • Open Winner – SSgt (SSI) Pete Noble
• Stableford Winner – Sgt (SI) Dan
Sansom
• Honest John Trophy – Sgt (SI) Dan
Sansom
• Best Putt – Sgt (SI) Dan Sansom
• Longest Drive – Mr George Fleming
(guest)
• Nearest the Pin – Maj (Retd) Billy Young
The Friday evening “social” was a very relaxed affair with more available time to sit and chat / reminisce of times gone by. We also shared the Hotel with a large number of Taylor Swift fans who were eagerly awaiting the first of three concerts being held at Murrayfield Stadium.
SCOTTISH BRANCH
Lt Col (Retd) D Peters – Chair Scottish Branch
Thankfully, most of them had left the hotel by 0530hrs in order to queue for entry into the concert – diehard fans I guess!
Saturday night saw a total of 34 sitting down to a formal dinner night with, once again, some first class entertainment provided by the Piper, Highland Dancers and our resident singer – Capt (Retd) Mike Mooney. After a toast to the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day landings in 1944, Mike sang several songs befitting of that time and of WW1. Some pertinent and very emotive songs sung amazingly by Mike. The Highland Dancers once again received a standing ovation for an excellent array of traditional dances as well as some variety of Irish and sea shanty routines. As young competitive dancers they are truly some of the best in Scotland and it’s a great privilege to have them perform for us – each year they seem to get better and better.
The SMAA, Lt Col (SMAA) Sean Semple RAPTC and Regimental Secretary, Lt Col (Retd) Steve Collinson, both attended the Gathering, with the SMAA giving a very
Scottish Branch Members that took part in the Dougie McGill Memorial Ski Trip
thorough and informative Corps/Army update. The level of support given to the Branches by HQ RAPTC, the Association and Executive Committee is fantastic and allows the Branches to develop and deliver real esprit de corps to those attending the Branch Reunions.
The evening also saw Maj (Retd) Billy Young receive his RAPTC Officers’ Mess presentation by the SMAA. Billy having
Scottish Branch Golf Competition
Scottish Branch Reunion Dinner