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This year’s Scottish Branch Gathering saw us returning to the Pitbauchlie House Hotel for our second year running and looks to be where we will continue to hold our future Reunions, as we have already booked for 13/14 Oct 23 and again for our normal time of the first weekend in June for 2024 and 2025.
This year’s annual Golf Challenge was fiercely competed by 13 hopefuls at Pitreavie Golf Club, on a wet’ish and windy October day (well it is Scotland).
Results were:
Scratch Winner – Tom Mulligan
Open Winner – Billy Young
Stableford Winner – Andrew (Taff) Rance Honest John – Tam Kirkwood
Nearest the Pin – Dougie Peters
Longest Drive – Dougie McGill
The Friday evening was an informal gathering with some great entertainment provided once again by the very talented Mike Mooney (plus guest appearances from Al Brown and others). We also held a Raffle. I know the SB never holds a raffle but this was a one-off consisting of three bottles of special limited edition spirits to commemorate the Falklands anniversary which were kindly donated by Sean Crawford (son of Len and Maureen Crawford) which raised a total of £600 for the charity - Children’s Hospices across Scotland (CHAS). Well done and thank you for raising such an amazing amount for a very worthwhile organisation.
Saturday saw the attendance of nearly 80 retired and serving members at the main Gathering. This included a total of 16 members of Probationers course number 94, accompanied by their course instructor (Bill Robson) and his wife (Ann). Some of them had flown in especially for their course reunion from as far afield as Australia, America and Spain. Well done to Chic Wilkinson for all his hard work in organising their reunion and in choosing the Scottish Branch to hold their special occasion. Hopefully we will see many of you back again very soon.
Lt Col (Retired) Dougie Peters
RAPTC ASSOCIATION (SCOTTISH BRANCH)
The Hopeful Golfers!
Stewart, Dee and Dougie (guess where my hands are?)
This April saw the Branch Secretary posted to Army Adventurous Training Group at Halton, Lancashire. Capt (MAA) Pete Newton was a massive asset to the Branch and was forever looking at opportunities to enhance the daily running and annual Gatherings. He will be big boots to fill, however I’m pleased to say that Capt (MAA) Kel Noteyoung has hit the ground running and is fully engaged with all Branch affairs, including the Branch Gathering on 13/14 October 2023.
Of course, I must mention the very sudden and extremely sad passing of Major (Retired) Dougie McGill, who epitomised the friendship and spirit of the Scottish Branch and is dearly missed by everyone who ever had the honour to know him.
Jane and Steve Collinson (Regimental Secretary) with Sue and Dougie Peters (Scottish Branch Chairman)
Dougie McGill toasts our excellent Piper
Just some of course number 94
The Highland Dancers receiving a standing ovation