Doors Open Days 2022

The 17th and 18th September saw another fantastic Doors Open weekend.

The new museum was popular with visitors and our sergeants brought the barracks to life, giving drill lessons and kit inspections.

Outside, reenactors of the Scottish Military Vehicles Group displayed period equipment and vehicles and shared their expert knowledge and we are very grateful to them for their support.

We opened a Memory Hut where people could come and share their memories of the camp and we recorded some great interviews on film - watch them here.

The Craft Fair was a chance to buy unique local artisan products and gifts and the Wild Wood Brothers did great trade from their shop. There was an array of food and drink on offer from camp-based businesses, Vino Fandango, Wild Hearth Bakery, Beetroot and Chocolate and Nat22 Brewery and the Scottish Beekeepers Association brought in bees, educational displays and honey for sale. Our own Camp 21 Café was very busy refreshing the troops and serenaded by local Tom Thomson, country and western singer.

The pygmy goats from Auchingarrich Wildlife Park enjoyed walks around the camp meeting visitors and the Men’s Shed kept children amused with their fairground games. Jim Thomson provided free classes in wood craft from his base at the old shooting range and the Orchard Group gave tours of the orchard. Comrie Cancer Shop opened up stalls in front of their hut which is an “Aladdin’s Cave” where you can find almost anything.

All in all, a thoroughly successful day which would not have been possible without the sterling work of our team of volunteers. Thankfully, they all very much enjoyed themselves and can’t wait until our next event, a view shared by many of our visitors. Keep the last Sunday in May free in your diaries for a military extravaganza at Cultybraggan Camp!

Susan Holoran