Are we in trouble?

How eight Scouts lost in the Cairngorms greeted their helicopter rescuers

A GROUP of Scouts lost in bad weather in the hills were happy to be rescued – then asked: “Are we in trouble?”

The party of eight boys and girls, aged 10 to 14, had to be rescued by helicopter after taking a wrong turn while trekking in the Cairngorms.

They were reported missing on Thursday night after failing to return to the Carrbridge area, north of Aviemore.

The Coastguard were called to begin a search mission, scanning the mountains with specialist cameras.

The crew found the group at 9.40pm at a remote bothy, waving and flashing lights towards the helicopter.

Aircraft captain Simon Hammock said the party of Scouts had reacted sensibly after finding themselves lost.

He said: “They had travelled a significant distance across uneven ground and as the weather deteriorated, had elected to seek shelter in a bothy.

“Their scouting training had been put to good use and had ultimately ensured their safety. We landed next to the bothy and as our winchman Jon approached the group, one of the smallest asked, ‘Can we have a lift?’ “He then quickly followed up with, ‘Are we in trouble?’ “Jon was able to put their minds at rest about that and when we returned them to their camp, they were met with open arms by the other Cubs and Scouts. “A great result.” The bothy on the River Dulnain where the Scouts were found was seven miles from their original camp at Sluggan Bridge. They had lit a fire inside the building to keep warm when it turned dark and the weather began to get colder. The helicopter landed near the bothy and took the youngsters back to Sluggan Bridge, where police and the Cairngorms Mountain Rescue Team were waiting for them. They were given a warm welcome by their Scout friends, who had raised the alarm that they were overdue.