Cadets win national competition

The High School of Dundee’s Combined Cadet Force (CCF) is celebrating after winning a major national competition for the second year in succession.

At the weekend, a 15-strong drill team retained the 51 Infantry Brigade Army Cadet Force (ACF) Drill and Turnout title for the School, courtesy of an outstanding display at Glencorse Barracks in Penicuik.

The entry of several of the country’s ACF Battalions - each of which draws cadets from across its local community, rather than just from a single school, and who have dominated the drill scene for many years - may have put off all but two of Scotland’s school CCFs from taking part. But the High School cadets, who ranged from F3 to F6, were undaunted, rising to the challenge to score a hugely impressive total of 93 out of 100 as they performed a series of precise military drill sequences.

WO2 Willie Nichol, who coached the team, said, “Our Cadets have been working extremely hard, mostly in their own time, since April.

“Shona MacTavish (Commander), Ailsa MacDonald and Rachel Strachan (Assisting Instructors) committed many hours practicing and preparing the team for the competition.

“The cadets were rewarded for their effort, diligence and commitment, finishing well ahead of the second and third placed teams. The team was simply awesome on the day.”