12 Jun 2023, 09:18
Scottish Mission Youth Outing in the Lost Valley
By Blandine Damtse
When it’s sunny, there's no better place to be than the great outdoors. And on Sunday 28th May 2023, the youth got together at the Three Sisters car park in Glencoe to hike up The Lost Valley. They were 67 in total; all coming from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Paisley, Dunfermline and Dundee churches.
The event, organised by the Scottish Mission youth sponsor, Pastor Claudiu Pospecu, ‘was to regain the sense of belonging, friendship and togetherness after two years of lockdown outside of a church setting,‘ he said. To Pastor Claudiu, this exercise was ‘also an opportunity for the youth to invite their school friends and peers and experience that church is not just a building but a living community.’
There was a lot to learn during this beautiful adventure. To the history lovers, the most interesting feature of the hiking was to listen to the history of the valley that once served as a refuge for the MacDonald clan members. They were slaughtered on 13th February 1692 at 5am by the Campbell clan; only few of them escaped the massacre by running into the Lost Valley.
To the nature lovers, the hike was ‘therapeutic!’ Shereen is an international student and despite aching legs that exceeded four days, she could not miss this opportunity that surpassed her expectation. ‘It is mentally recorded as part of my best weekend ever in Scotland,’ she said. What she enjoyed the most is the ‘conversations that had limitless tangents; sharing of culture, career paths, faiths and beliefs,’ she confessed. Shereen was really impressed by the level of team spirit demonstrated by the SM hikers in getting through the paths and was amazed to see Pastor Claudiu giving a hand to all those struggling to undergo the obstacles on their ways.
The adventure was such a delight especially as the trail used for the circumstance was child-friendly. From Glasgow church; Kiki 12, Kerry 10, Jared 10, and Joakim 8 were the youngest of the crew. With palpable excitement, they bravely made it through to the valley. Travelling with friends was such a delight as they had 'lots of fun during the journey,’ they said.
Everyone hiked at their own pace but so naturally, they all reached the end at the same time due to the multiple breaks along the way. As the team was about to take in the sites of the beautiful and historically rich Lost Valley ironically baptised ‘the promised land’ by some hikers, the appearances of tiredness and struggle immediately gave way to looks of wonder and hushed awe. The landscape looked as beautiful and original as if someone had used an Instagram filter on it.
The hiking ended with a well-deserved barbecue served with a three course meal. The delicious food, prepared by the famous Chef Oynish and his team was set by the riverside. People enjoyed eating and conversing near the river while admiring the beautiful nature surrounding them; a masterpiece of God the Greatest Artist.
The crew timidly dismissed at nearly 7 pm, wishing the day could be extended. As Pastor Claudiu said: ‘Church is more than meeting for a few hours on a Sabbath day.’ Thus, the Scottish Mission department is running at least five events each year, one of them being linked with outdoor activities. And according to Benjamin Bakina, ‘there is nothing better than enjoying the summer in the great outdoors.’ The Glasgow youth leader, commenting on the hiking said that Glencoe is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful places he has been to. The day out couldn’t have been better and perhaps there is one thing the Glencoe hikers could agree on: they are looking forward to the next Scottish Mission youth event.
By Blandine Damtse
When it’s sunny, there's no better place to be than the great outdoors. And on Sunday 28th May 2023, the youth got together at the Three Sisters car park in Glencoe to hike up The Lost Valley. They were 67 in total; all coming from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Paisley, Dunfermline and Dundee churches.
The event, organised by the Scottish Mission youth sponsor, Pastor Claudiu Pospecu, ‘was to regain the sense of belonging, friendship and togetherness after two years of lockdown outside of a church setting,‘ he said. To Pastor Claudiu, this exercise was ‘also an opportunity for the youth to invite their school friends and peers and experience that church is not just a building but a living community.’
There was a lot to learn during this beautiful adventure. To the history lovers, the most interesting feature of the hiking was to listen to the history of the valley that once served as a refuge for the MacDonald clan members. They were slaughtered on 13th February 1692 at 5am by the Campbell clan; only few of them escaped the massacre by running into the Lost Valley.
To the nature lovers, the hike was ‘therapeutic!’ Shereen is an international student and despite aching legs that exceeded four days, she could not miss this opportunity that surpassed her expectation. ‘It is mentally recorded as part of my best weekend ever in Scotland,’ she said. What she enjoyed the most is the ‘conversations that had limitless tangents; sharing of culture, career paths, faiths and beliefs,’ she confessed. Shereen was really impressed by the level of team spirit demonstrated by the SM hikers in getting through the paths and was amazed to see Pastor Claudiu giving a hand to all those struggling to undergo the obstacles on their ways.
The adventure was such a delight especially as the trail used for the circumstance was child-friendly. From Glasgow church; Kiki 12, Kerry 10, Jared 10, and Joakim 8 were the youngest of the crew. With palpable excitement, they bravely made it through to the valley. Travelling with friends was such a delight as they had 'lots of fun during the journey,’ they said.
Everyone hiked at their own pace but so naturally, they all reached the end at the same time due to the multiple breaks along the way. As the team was about to take in the sites of the beautiful and historically rich Lost Valley ironically baptised ‘the promised land’ by some hikers, the appearances of tiredness and struggle immediately gave way to looks of wonder and hushed awe. The landscape looked as beautiful and original as if someone had used an Instagram filter on it.
The hiking ended with a well-deserved barbecue served with a three course meal. The delicious food, prepared by the famous Chef Oynish and his team was set by the riverside. People enjoyed eating and conversing near the river while admiring the beautiful nature surrounding them; a masterpiece of God the Greatest Artist.
The crew timidly dismissed at nearly 7 pm, wishing the day could be extended. As Pastor Claudiu said: ‘Church is more than meeting for a few hours on a Sabbath day.’ Thus, the Scottish Mission department is running at least five events each year, one of them being linked with outdoor activities. And according to Benjamin Bakina, ‘there is nothing better than enjoying the summer in the great outdoors.’ The Glasgow youth leader, commenting on the hiking said that Glencoe is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful places he has been to. The day out couldn’t have been better and perhaps there is one thing the Glencoe hikers could agree on: they are looking forward to the next Scottish Mission youth event.
