Neighbor News
Local Scouts Trade Familiar Trails for the Scottish Highlands This Summer
Troop 1776 Venture Patrol Scouts will be backpacking this July along the Great Glen Way in Scotland.
About a year ago, the idea of a dream adventure to Scotland began to take shape. Troop 1776 Eagle Scout, Devin Milano envisioned creating a once‑in‑a‑lifetime experience for his fellow Scouts, something that would stay with them long after their time in Scouting. As seasoned backpackers who have tackled many sections of the Appalachian Trail, the question became: Where could they go that would match that challenge and beauty? Scotland quickly rose to the top of the list with its rolling hills, charming villages, and the legendary Highland landscapes along the Great Glen Way.
After presenting the proposal to the Troop 1776 Committee and securing approval, months of planning and preparation have turned this ambitious idea into reality.
The Scouts participating in this trek are experienced Life and Eagle scouts (ages 15 to 17) with significant backpacking experience. They are prepared to hike 10–15 miles per day, carrying all their gear as they make their way across the Scottish Highlands.
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Their journey will cover hiking the Great Glen Way with “wild camping” - a beloved Scottish tradition that allows hikers to camp almost anywhere along the trail. They will explore villages, stay at hostels, visit historic castles, and even take a trip to Loch Ness in hopes of spotting the famous “Nessie.”
As they travel from village to village, the Scouts also hope to immerse themselves in local culture. With Highland Games taking place across Scotland throughout the summer, they plan to stop whenever possible. They also hope to meet Scout Explorers in Scotland to trade pins, share stories, and build international friendships. As Devin put it, “If we could meet up and spend some time together, this would make our trip an international success!”
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The adventure spans nine full days of hiking and sightseeing.
About the Scotland Crew
The Scotland crew is made up of first‑ and second‑year students from Hillsborough High School and VoTech. All the scouts represent some form of athleticism as they all take part in at least one of the HHS team sports: tennis, spring track, lacrosse, swimming and local gymnastics.
They are committed to healthy living, keeping themselves physically strong and providing service to the community, as they all participate in some form of community service and volunteerism throughout the year. They are thrifty in that they have been fundraising; holding Line Dancing classes, Yoga Classes, mulching and dine outs to help aid in the phenomenal cost of a trip of this magnitude.
They look forward to coming home with colorful stories of adventure and friendship. Their hope was to bring some small pins or patches from New Jersey as tokens of goodwill and friendship to those youth hostels or possibly other Scouts that they meet during their trip, especially since this will be our country’s 250th anniversary!
Troop 1776 has a long tradition of remarkable Venture Trips, including past journeys to England, Switzerland, Maine, Utah, the Bahamas, Alaska, and the Grand Canyon. This year’s group is proud to carry that tradition forward.
If you are interested and want to learn more information about this trip or Troop 1776 email us at: info@bsa1776.org or want to donate to their trip email: treasurer@bsa1776.org
