ski-ing instructors and being fitted out with skis, boots and ski-sticks. That afternoon we ventured out onto the slopes for the first time. Due to the scarcity of snow the first lessons were conducted on a 45° slope. It was at that stage that we discovered that ski-ing wasn't as easy as it looked.
Friday saw us off to the slopes early in the morning for our first full day's ski-ing. This was spent in nursery areas at the bottom of Cairngorm. By the end of the day the novelty of ski-ing had worn off and we realised that it was a sport requiring patience, sense, and stamina.
It was decided that after Friday's all day activity we were to rest on Saturday. So Saturday afternoon was spent in Aviemore, much to our relief.
Sunday and Monday quickly passed by, two days of all-day ski-ing. The snow situation had by then improved and there was plenty for everyone.
Then came the last day, Tuesday, everyone was determined to make the most of it. The group was divided in half, one half skied in the middle part of the slopes, the other started on the top of Cairngorm and worked their way to the bottom. Back at the hut at the end of the day we packed our gear in preparation for our departure the next day.
There was an uneventful journey back to school on the Wednesday. As an experiment the holiday proved a success and may well be repeated next year.

C.C.C./R.A.F. SECTION/A.E.F.
Every second Thursday, depending on the weather, a small contingency of about 12-14 boys make their way to Turnhouse Airport, Edinburgh for for Air Experience Flying in R.A.F. De Havilland Chipmunks.
Having reported to the A.E.F. Hut, they put on their Mae Wests, and tie themselves to their parachute packs. When the aircraft are ready, they waddle, doubled up, to the edge of the parking zone to struggle into the rear cockpit of the basic trainer (the parachute pack is your seat). One is rapidly strapped into the aircraft's safety harness, by an over-zealous cadet who usually acts as if the aerodrome is under attack.
The time taken to unload and load two cadets is less than a minute, which is quite good, considering the straps and radio masks to be taken off and tied up again, all this while the propellor is sending a blast of cold air directly onto the "loader".
A flight usually lasts about 30 minutes. Almost everyone has now at least taken control of an aircraft for a short while, and some have even done aerobatics, though only as passengers.
Total number of hours flown are 17 hours 4 minutes, by the 17 who have flown at least two flights.

PIPE BAND
The new Summer Term system has somewhat restricted the activities of the Band. There have so far been only two engagements this term, the first to the Duke of Edinburgh's Awards Display in Perth, the second was the annual Beating of the Retreat at Edinburgh Castle. It was almost rained off and consequently the crowd on the esplanade was smaller than was expected. Taking the salute was Lt. General Sir Derek Lang, GOC Scottish Command, who is incidentally retiring in about three months time.
The World Pipe Band Championships, this year at Perth, will be held after Grand Day but the band will be largely unaffected by boys leaving.
Instructors: Pipe Major J. MacKenzie and Drum Major A. Morrison.
Pipers: Pipe Major A. Hill, A. MacDonald, J. Will, A. Martin, A. Robertson, I. Fraser, S. Grant, P. Gilchrist, A. Jeffery, R. Cowie, A. A. MacDonald,, R. Haines, J. Harrison, P. Adams, N. Roe, G. Hamilton, T. Gemmil, C. Pryde.
Drummers: Drum Major, I. Graham; Bass, W. J. MacMillan; Tenors,A. Hewgill, J. Wrenn, W. West, and K. Walker. Leading side, B. Knox. Side Drummers, B. Murton, J. Sayer, P. Sayer, H. Shannan. A. McKay, R. Paterson, J. Glass.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
This term's Archaeology "dig" was on a hill-side four miles from Kinlochrannoch. The site was reputed to have been a village which was abandoned at about the time of the 1745 rebellion. This information was confirmed when we found a corn kiln in perfect condition. Around the kiln were two walls and it had obviously been repaired because there were two chimney stones. Pieces of pottery, charcoal and glass were also discovered on the site.
One area which proved of great interest was a Bronze Age cist grave. Four large, flat stones, about four feet by three feet, formed the grave. When the occupant died he would probably have been hung up by a branch of a tree to allow the birds to eat the flesh. The skeleton would then be laid in the grave with the legs tucked up beneath the chin. Another large, flat stone would have been laid over the top as the lid, but the top had long since disappeared, probably taken by later settlers for building purposes.
Dr Stewart, the organiser of the "dig" discovered a neat, unlevel portion of cobbled floor. He suggested that this would probably have been a barn or storage house of some kind.
Altogether the "dig" was very successful and enjoyed by all who took part. Our thanks to the organisers of this expedition.