BB Camp

Across from the Isle of Bute at the Kyles of Bute on mainland Argyll is situated the small town of Tighnabruaich Gaelic for house on the bank by the shore. It was here in Auchenlochan that The First Glasgow Company held it's first camp in the summer of 1886. As was tradition the Boys marched in full uniform to the Broomielaw to catch the paddle steamer "Columba" and sail down the River Clyde to Tighnabruaich. The camp was run with the same strict discipline as on parade nights and the uniform was worn at all times unlike in later years when there was a more relaxed informal atmosphere.

Sailing was an activity greatly enjoyed by the boys and William Smith who was an accomplished yachtsman would lead the flotilla of sailing boats on the calm waters of the Firth of Clyde with each squad having it's own craft. Later other outdoor activities were introduced such as games, sports hill walking and expeditions.

The Camp Hall Auchenlochan

It was here in Tighnabruaich on a late Wednesday evening in July 1909 that William Smith left the camp bound for London from where he returned the following Friday morning to rounds of applause and resounding cheers from the boys having been knighted by the King.

In Victorian days travel was not as easy as it is today therefore many of the lads had never ventured far from their own homes. The experience of camping, now general practice in the Boys' Brigade was quite an adventure for the boys who found it a novelty to be under canvas and so a permanent campsite was eventually based at Portavadie on the eastern shores of Loch Fyne were there was a mess in the form of a wooden hut.

Over the years many First Glasgow Company boys have enjoyed the outdoor experience under canvas in the Argyllshire countryside at Portavadie where the permanent campsite was established in 1919. The summer camp proved popular with the boys and they very much looked forward to this annual event.

In 1974 it was announced that Portavadie was selected as the location of a proposed yard for the construction of oil production platforms. This was sad news for the Company as Portavadie conjured up memories of happy carefree summer days spent there in our youth for many Old Boys. So the last BB camp at Portavadie took place in July 1974.

The Company set up a committee to search the whole of the West Coast from all round the Firth of Clyde including West Loch Tarbert to Loch Melfort without success. Fortunately a new campsite was eventually found at Stillaig not far from Portavadie and the first camp there was held in July 1975.