Additionally, Scotland and the Commando training areas were the location where the US RANGERS were first trained - under Commando supervision - in World War 2. The movie 'Darby's Rangers' (1958 with James Garner playing William Orlando Darby) tells the story of the origins of the US Army Rangers (based near my hometown of Dundee, Scotland). There is a great scene in the movie which showed the dangers of this mountain training.
I believe you can watch on UA-cam, watched it some years back! Very historically accurate for a movie. Scotland beautiful but absolute nightmare to soldier in, prefect training ground for the RMC and Commandos to nail down their skills.
I see combat arms is biased. Always tries to make US seem better in all areas that British excel in and ignores comments like yours but will like others.
You can’t help who comments. But this is a great channel. I haven’t served but you can always tell the people who have served from both sides of the Atlantic because they show respect and don’t talk bollocks.
The problem with Scottish weather is the windchill…as the saying there goes, “it’s a lazy wind”, it doesn’t go around you “it goes straight through you”.
In terms of daylight, it's worth noting that the Cairngorms sit at around 57 degrees north, which means the only US territory that line of latitude passes through is southern Alaska. It also means that, around this time of year, there's a little under 7 hours of daylight, and the sun doesn't get over 10 degrees above the horizon.
Great video as usual. I can definitely tell you Scotland gets very cold. I once stayed on the side of a mountain with no sleeping bag or tent and it was minus 17 degrees. The coldest night of my life. Keep up the good work. Peace from an ex British squaddie.
Chilly Baltic is the usual temp in Scotland, a fair chunk of snow up north and countryside not so much in the city. Also the Scottish mountains are amazing to train and just hike in. 😁
My dad is ex 42 commando back in the 60s, he told me when the commando's started u got a train ticket to spean bridge Scotland but no further orders from there after a few hours anyone who didn't start walking to the base and was waiting at the train station got a return ticket back to their old unit
The rocks on that particular mountainside are granite,therefore being very solid,most of our mountains are composed of granite,although there are some quite slippery shale mountain faces in the central to Southern regions of Scotland. Here in Aberdeen at this time of year the temperature usually fluctuates between - 5 Celcius to +5 Celcius,but the accompanying winds from the North Sea can make it feel much colder.
Other commenters are correctly pointing out that the danger in the Scottish Highlands is not so much extreme lowness of temperature, but the combination of temperatures of around 0° Celsius with wind and rain. Daylight is short in winter. Mountain Rescue is very much valued in Scotland, because the massive threat to people is exposure. The Highlands are the hardened roots of an ancient mountain range, containing hard rocks such as quartzite ( a metamorphic rock), along with igneous rocks such as basalt, granite, and the ultimate climbers' rock, gabbro.
I think the feeling of cold has a lot more to do with humidity rather than the temperature alone. Scotland’s average humidity is close to 90%, whereas Colorado is 54. So it feels colder as the moisture pulls the heat out of your body really quickly. Living in the UK, due to the how damp the air is, you could have a day where it is 5 degrees C and feels well below freezing, then if you add wind as well, it feels a lot colder than it actually is.
Literally watching this on my tablet in Inverness Airport waiting for my flight back to Gatwick. Spent few days in Highlands/Cairngorm. Man its so stunning even the rain/sleat can't hide it. The American guy was right,you get all four seasons in a day up here. As Ex RRW Infantryman I did most my winter training in Brecon Beacons, Wales. While here I visited Spean Bridge so I got to see the Royal Marine Statue featured in this video. Next time you're over mate hop on a cheap fight up here (was like 45 quid) you would love it.
The Royal Marine Mountain Leaders are special forces. They have everyone from SAS SBS and foreign military units. The Royal Marine Commando is a tough soldier I their own right. But to add this level 2 Cadre to their skill set is phenomenal. Let alone the Instructors. I served 3 different times. My regular service was my 2nd time from 89 to 93 RCT Maritime attached to 3rd Commando Brigade RM. Seeing these guys in Norway first hand is a sight to behold.
I worked alongside the RM mountain leaders in Norway on Arctic warfare and survival courses in the mid 1990's, very knowledgeable soldiers and their training ethos was second to none, using mentoring and education rather than shouting and screaming. An absolute pleasure to work with these consummate professionals.
I'm a Scotsman and I have a few friends from Canada. They all say -20 in Canada is like -5 in Scotland. But we cry its too hot when it's 20 outside hahahaha
You should check out "Royal Marines Behind The Lines" , it's a series from the mid 80s, following a group of RM training to gain Mountain & Arctic Warfare Cadre status. I remember watching it when it came out and greatly enjoying it. There is a section where they are split into small groups, stripped, given WW2 clothing and dumped on a remote island to survive. One group was led by Lt "Smith", already an SBS officer. They didn't take it too seriously until the instructors tore strips off them for not being camouflaged and they then disappeared - could not even be found when severe weather brought the exercise to an early end.
I remember watching that myself, it is also here on YT. The reason I watched it was because my cousins husband was a member of the M&AWC in the late seventies, I had never even heard about them. He was one of the nicest, laid back blokes you could ever meet. It is definitely worth a watch.
One thing is for certain... it builds confidence in your gear and team. Nowhere as extreme, I had to climb up a 100 foot moss covered slate rockface in a thunderstorm, got shoved in a 3 foot wide tunnel at the top (potholing), 50 feet long, no light... and told the only way out is forward. Once out, have to abseil back down. Doesn't sound bad, but when you are 6'-3", 17 stone and suffer from claustrophobia and acrophobia... you always look back and realise the importance of what just happened.
45 Commando are a greagreat bunch of guys! I was based at R.M Condor the home of 45 with my Reserve Glider Squadron for over 30 years until due to cuts our Unit was disbanded! 45 role was particularly focused on Artic Training and as been said this included deployment to Norway although being Marines over the years they were deployed to Northern Ireland, but the guys adapt and have been to a number of theatres of Operation! I miss their banter and Company and became friends with various OC's & 2 I/cs I raise a glass to you all!
Former Royal Marine here. Whilst I served I did 3 Norway deployments. I’ve skied from a young age and although for most lads Norway is hideous it was one of my favourite deployments. I’m a cold weather person so suites me well! Military skis are a different beast compared to civilian versions. Any way love your content mate keep up the good work brother 👌
My uncle was a ski instructor in the Army and in Norway, you ski for miles and miles and miles, and in Scotland, you get snow in the cairngorms, but you also get, as they said, 4seasons in one day. You could get a heatwave for a few hours, then snow, then rain, then back to sunshine. I have family in North Norway, and the weather is the same, but with more snow, but still hot days and Norwegian summers are also hot. Britain is warm compared to parts of the USA and Canada because we are surrounded by water, and a friend in Canada says that winters in her area can be minus 20-30, I've seen minus 18 max in my life in northern England, and that's only once. Today is sunny and cloudless. Northumberland is gods country and you should visit if you get the chance. All the best mate.
A cool dit about the Norgies that got trained as commando’s. The first ones have an amazing story of their sadly unsuccessful mission in Norway. There is a film about it called ‘The 12th Man’. Truly incredible what Jan Baalsrud went through and the mental fortitude is incredible! Definitely worth a watch or read. If you wanting to read about it probably search up ‘the 12th man’ or ‘Operation Martin’. One of the greatest stories ever!
I remember being on the outdoor range in Aberdeen where, in one twenty minute detail, I had blinding sunshine, hail, and driving snow.... oh, and the wind throughout! It's a damp cold that just seems to seep into your bones as opposed to the sharp cold of a bright but snowy day.
I'm in the Cairngorms, coldest I've had at my house is -14 and the coldest I have experienced up the road is -18, this is all before wind chill so it can get pretty nippy lol. Snow varies alot and anything over 1ft would be a drift or considered abnormal unless on the mountains. The local area is kinda of famous for having multiple different climates within 50 or so miles, the Cairngorms being the most extreme winter conditions in the UK, the Black Isle being its own sub climate of mild temps surrounded on all sides by cold tall mountains and then the rolling fields of farming lands out east towards Aberdeen. Interesting place to live as I'm 1 mile away from 1000ft elevation change, it can be really mild or really cold, really wet or really dry, loads of snow or nothing lol
The cold on its own is not the biggest misery, but the combination of cold, wet and wind together which can make for an unpleasant time. Happy New Year, all the best from Oban in Scotland 😉.
the parachute regiment has a series on p company currently the first episode is already out ik you've already reacted to p company but this is a different outlook on it and this time comes directly from the regiment, keep up the vids love them
Royal Marines are trained in Norway because that's expected to be their primary designated NATO role, to defend the Northern NATO flank, If Russia decided to get a little bit silly.
The CO of 42 CDO liked to tell us our job was to delay the advance of the Russians along the E6, (major road through Norway north to south), until the American's arrived. He told us bluntly that if war did come most of the Corps would been wiped out but the important thing was to slow their advance. We basically modelled our tactics on the Finnish army during the Winter war with Russia.
As already mentioned, in the Highlands/mountains, - and especially in the winter months (Nov - Feb, widen by 1-2 months if particularly crap weather) - it's the unique combination of long dark nights (around 16hrs dark), cold - if it's not snowing it WILL be raining, guaranteed windy (significant wind-chill, pushing that cold rain under your clothes), soft, energy-draining bases, slippy rocks/rock faces. --> all in all a bloody miserable experience. Aye, the Highlanders of old also were bloody tough. Then again, in the summer and when the sun is shining, it's damn braw!
A few years ago I was on Ben Nevis, there was sleet and a very strong wind. Reaching the top and standing around a bit,within seconds I couldn't feel my fingers anymore. It's the windchill that gets you and kills you if you're not properly dressed for it.
Simply put prepareing for Russia, the UK's defence area inclues Iceland, Norway, Sweadan, Finnland, and Estonia so UK troops are training the armed forces from the partner nations they are commited to defend. They are often running joint training ops in Norway. The USA is doing exactly the same thing in Germany.
A million years ago (about 15) mountain training and Arctic training followed the same pattern they probably do today. Starting with learning individual skills and survival and practicing them. Building up the training physically adding stresses and tests like yomping through the mountains with weight and ski marching over a number of weeks. Practicing them again and again in troops and at company level. Then range packages again going from personal skills and drills in those environments (can’t remember doing them in Scotland though due to lack of ranges in those areas just Norway) again working up to other heavier weapon systems. I remember my first Norway culminating in the usual end exercise where we were manoeuvring around that environment with full kit both with and without transport ‘fighting’ Norwegians, Americans and some SF components I remember seeing para into the mountains and “bumping” us. Moving all the heavy weapons around on skis and pulks was the hardest parts (I was in a heavy weapons company) and getting into and out of positions to ambush armour and other high value targets etc is so much more difficult in those mountains and temperatures. Would love to hear if it has changed much recently with the moves the corp seems to be making into lighter and quicker more traditional commando style attacks. Are heavy weapons still lumped around etc?
I was based in the scottish highlands when I first joined the military in 2000.. we trained mountain warfare in the Cairngorms all the time,, it’s amaz but brutal with the weather,,
typical temp in Scotland is around 2 deg c on a good day in autumn with wind chill can be -7 deg c, in winter that can drop to -10 or -15, and that's not with snow, just rain and wind chill, with snow on the mountains it can drop to -20 to -25. at the same time it can be 5 to 7 deg c in the valleys.
Scotland is a beautiful country, and it's said if you don't like the weather, just wait 30 minutes or so! In the 90's in August I took a hike up Ben Nevis (In the glen it was around 20C/68F and sunny).. I started off by wearing a windproof fleece over my fleecy shirt, fleece lined pants..Instead of hiking up the misnamed 'tourist path' I carried on and up the ridge on the other side that turns back in a big arc. I met up with two guys who it turned out were in the army out for a stroll. The climb on the other side to the summit is pretty tough with millions of chances to stick your foot down a gap between the blocks of stone and break your ankle. At the top the mist was down and the temperature about freezing, by which time I'd now added a fleece lined hat down over my ears, Gortex outer jacket and waterporof over pants, gaiters over my boots, fleece gloves and was still cold, such was the wind. I was thankful for the rucksack with extra clothes, flask of hot soup etc. The two army lads told me a terrible story of a few years before about a group of Venture Scouts who were lost in the mist and snow and didn't know how to get back to the posts that mark the 'tourist path'. They asked the leader of a group of soldiers who were training, where to go. The leader took out his compass and told them to go on such and such a bearing to get to the top of the path to go down...And off they went, through a snow cornice on the top of a 400 foot drop. Yes, Scotland is breathtakingly beautiful and rugged, but the weather can bite hard.
I did Norway attached to 45 in Jan-Mar 1990. At that time there was a familiarisation period with lots of Brigade admin owe by a ten day arctic survival course - skiing, snow shoes, building of snow holes, ice breaking drills. Everyone seemed to be involved in that, then there was the Arctic Warfare Course proper, learning not just how to survive but how to fight in the arctic. The more advanced hands did a course with Ice Climbing and related things all under the instruction of the ML's. Then a few days preparation for the Brigade exercise which lasted several weeks.
I do a lot of Munros.. Just expect sideways rain and sleat at any time of the year. That's why so many people get undone on the hill. Just take evevthing.. flares. smoke. at least a thermal sheet. love from Inverness
Scotland gets very cold and very wet and the terrain is extremely taxing on the body. Great place to train for the Arctic circle, nothing beats Scandinavia for that sort of training but still a close comparison with similar challenges.
In the UK we always talk about the weather. We don't get extremes with hurricanes or tornados. You can still see 4 seasons in hours. Especially in Scotland. I find Scotland snapped off from Norway. The Lochs are close to the fjords.
I was based in the Scottish highlands from 2000-03 as a mountain warfare battalion and the Cairngorms was our back yard, beautiful scenery but hard going in winter 🥶 😂
The actual temperatures in Scotland never get as low as they do in Washington and the mountains are not as big but the combination of wind and wet make it miserable.
And the changeability. See since the mountains aren't huge, people don't take it as seriously. So they are often more deadly than bigger mountains, since people don't take it seriously
@@Damo2690 I have worked in Scotland and Cumbria as a hotel manager and have had to deal with family members collecting the belongings of relatives that have died on the mountains of Scotland and Cumbria, highly experienced walkers and climbers get caught out let alone the novices who have no clue as to how difficult and dangerous the terrain can be when combined with our weather.
Im off to army assesment in a few weeks, what makes me most hopeful is that these guys come to train here for a few weeks at a time, but im FROM there, a whole lifetime in the highlands ;)
Theo!! In my Job, sometimes as a (DRO) when i was in the SES?! Back in the Mid-Late 90's! After we Finished with using what ever Rope?! We used. We had to Check every one of them for any kinds of, Frays!!
You should react to the Black Devils, AKA the 1st Special Service Force, a combined U.S. and Canadian unit that was stood up during WW2 to fight in mountainous and arctic conditions. The best documentary is the Suicide Missions episode that focused on them which originally aired on the History Channel. Modern day U.S. special ops trace their lineage back to the Devils Brigade.
Quick fact, I’m from near Inverurie and the cairngorms is right on my doorstep, and you get all extreme weathers in the space of 5 minutes, starts sunny then hailstones while it’s still sunny, heavy snow which turns to thunder and lightning with like 75/80mph winds then the sun comes back out😂. The weather is really harsh and unpredictable
I'm a highlander... wear a wool jumper.. good shoes and you will be all right... Yes people die walking home from the pub at night... due to exposure... but what the hey... it's where we live... as for moving across country at night.. when I was 12 my Christian union group visited harris... me and another chap were dropped off and walked back 20 miles across the hills with random fog... rain and such.. visibility down to maybe a few feet... perhaps it's just that people from cities are used to stairs and pavements...
There's a cliff face near Glen Doll, in the Highlands of Scotland. It's used for 'External Leadership' training (which includes climbing and abseiling) by the British Army. (I'm referring to ordinary infantry; not special forces). As I backed off the edge of the cliff, my rectal sphincter made some involuntary twitching movements. I couldn't help it: 90m is a long way down. I 'performed' quite well: I didn't slip, get the rope tangled, or take too long getting down. It was a personal achievement. I was pleased with myself and also got a pat on the shoulder from the Sgt in charge. "Good lad...". Next in line was my training corporal, who did it facing forward, and his feet touched the cliff face three, maybe four times. That put my 'achievement' in perspective...
Cold is different in the UK as we have a warm wet climate due to the Gulf stream it never gets that cold. Winters are usually no colder that -5 to -10C but the damp cold really chills you, and as The US serviceman says you can get all 4 seasons in the one day.
My grandfather left me several pictures of that camp (I think) I don't know much about what he did I was told he taught unarmed combat with the Canadain Rocky Mountain Rangers .. He never spoke about the war but he had mentioned the camp on a trip to Scotland years later.. Its possible he was there to train for the climb up the back of Monte Cassino In Italy with the hasty P's
The slate quarries and rock faces are pretty tight. The weather is what will git cha. Get yer Softie on. Want to know what we do? We're gonna have lots of cuddle time.
They train in that environment. I just live in it. It doesn’t occur to you when you live in the middle of nowhere Highlands that there’s anything unusual or unique about it. It’s just home.
CAC If you have not already seen this, then you probably might want to. All about the original commando course at Achnacarry during WW". Its also where the first US Army Rangers trained
Royal marines arctic training very basic outline Prior to deployment to Norway ranks will have lectures on Cold weather environment, Putting up arctic tents, cold weather injuries, avalanche etc. Week one, basic ski training, lectures on living out in the cold and survival. Week two, Advanced 😁 ski training. Living out in field, tent routines, night sking, demonstrations of all kinds Week three. Living out in the field, skiing, tactics Week four, Live firing and section to Company tactics. After this ranks will deploy on various Company exercises including arctic boat drills, helicopter operations in prep for the Nato execise Ranks generally deploy to Norway for two to three months starting early January. This was general routine for Cold weather warefare training in my day but has to have changed now but cant imagine that much.
Have any of you Marines sailed back into Portsmouth with your family on board with you ? It’s called PACAS now (parents and children at sea ) or as it used to be , Lads & Dads Iv bean lucky enough to do it twice , Lisbon to Pompey , HMS Somerset and Gib to Pompey on HMS Monmouth ( The Black Duke ) . My son is in the Fleet Air Arm so I came into port with him after getting wasted in both Ports before leaving for home . Gib was very special as it’s a very historic port for the Royal Navy . Anyone know ( or remember their visit to ) the Donkeys Flip Flop ?
We had 2 bad winters in scotland.. a bit back.. about .-28 dc early morning in the highlands when completely calm ie no wind chill etc... the ice just built up each day... with 6 inches on many of the side roads... gritting was ineffective....
Scottish Highlands are subarctic in winter. The British climate and weather change quickly with just as few hundred meters of elevation due to it being a maritime climate. Other than that it's fairly mild.
The R.M.'s basic wartime role is to help protect Europe's Arctic Northern flank against Russian aggression/invasion of the Finnish borders, we are the Arctic soldiers of the North along with the Dutch Marines and parts of Norway, Sweden and Finland military detachments. Scotland is an excellent training area and the weather is brutal, wet cold and very windy, and never forget the midges.
Operation Telemark is a prime example of British trained Norwegians doing the business with British assistance. Also when I was taught to repel I would get told off if my left hand was on the rope and that was from former operators and Marines... I remember the first time I tried going throw a window, in the wind and rain on a rain soaked rendered surface... I made it through the window and I was asked "why the flip is your left hand useless? Come through and be ready to engage" It was my second time repelling, the third time I came through the window with my left hand free and showing them the middle finger... the response "at least your left hand is useful now... ten press ups for being a smart ass!"
Hi from Scotland, I enjoyed your video, I seem to remember hearing that the forunner of the CIA trained in the Scottish mountains during ww2, as did other special forces.the Dutch Marines come and train as well.
not really, ive lived in Scotland all my life, it only gets cold here in the winter unless you are way up north definitely not freezing year round. its winter here and its only 0 celsius, places in canada and US get to -10 celsius regularly and even colder, we have fairly mild weather in the UK
When i did my training in the early 90s down in Winchester UK,we had a few guys one from St Lucia a mountain of a man and a guy called shaloke i thiught he was canadian but i never found out
North East England has had a close relationship with Norway for decades, centuries even. They traded with us at the docks of Newcastle Upon Tyne when we still had them and some geordie slag are close to or actual Norwegian words 😅❤
As was said the first commando school was in Scotland and initially was training Uk forces but very soon trained resistance and what would now be called special forces from all over Europe and America, there is film of Americans training in WW2 with the British , so the American who spoke is in that tradition.
One thing I noticed is the difference between the type of cold in Scotland and norway.in the UK the cold weather is damp and chills to the bone, but in Norway it is a dry crisp cold that is much more easier to handle. Putting on wet gloves on already cold hands is a lot harder than cold but dry gloves . Give me continental Europe conditions anytime.I suppose that in the long run it is an advantage when you are happy with the cold weather having experienced much worse during training,it gives that little edge over others having less brutal experience..... that is my pragmatic approach anyway.....
great video as usual, your link for express VPN is not working by the way :( great to see my home country and have to say the weather is just crap all the time here! lol the brown padding over the rope is just hessian sacks (sand bags) with black nasty to hold it on, easy and spot on.
Lowest temp in Scotland was average winter temperature of 0.19°C. On the whole it's not been as bad, but you have snow often towards the warmer summer months of May-June+ in the Cairns. Although since I moved 15 odd years ago, (feckin Nora), things could well have changed I guess. I have'nae a clue, anyone?.
It’s great to see US servicemen training in Scotland and appreciate the knowledge and experience learnt from their British counterparts.
Additionally, Scotland and the Commando training areas were the location where the US RANGERS were first trained - under Commando supervision - in World War 2. The movie 'Darby's Rangers' (1958 with James Garner playing William Orlando Darby) tells the story of the origins of the US Army Rangers (based near my hometown of Dundee, Scotland). There is a great scene in the movie which showed the dangers of this mountain training.
This True, i live not far from where the training takes place :)
I believe you can watch on UA-cam, watched it some years back! Very historically accurate for a movie. Scotland beautiful but absolute nightmare to soldier in, prefect training ground for the RMC and Commandos to nail down their skills.
I see combat arms is biased. Always tries to make US seem better in all areas that British excel in and ignores comments like yours but will like others.
You can’t help who comments. But this is a great channel. I haven’t served but you can always tell the people who have served from both sides of the Atlantic because they show respect and don’t talk bollocks.
Cheers dits 👌🏻
The problem with Scottish weather is the windchill…as the saying there goes, “it’s a lazy wind”, it doesn’t go around you “it goes straight through you”.
You get used to it the longer your here 😂
All about the horizontal rain ;)
In terms of daylight, it's worth noting that the Cairngorms sit at around 57 degrees north, which means the only US territory that line of latitude passes through is southern Alaska.
It also means that, around this time of year, there's a little under 7 hours of daylight, and the sun doesn't get over 10 degrees above the horizon.
The Scottish highlands are absolutely beautiful, and the people there are so lovely... yet hard as nails!
Damn right we are ;)
Great video as usual. I can definitely tell you Scotland gets very cold. I once stayed on the side of a mountain with no sleeping bag or tent and it was minus 17 degrees. The coldest night of my life. Keep up the good work. Peace from an ex British squaddie.
Chilly Baltic is the usual temp in Scotland, a fair chunk of snow up north and countryside not so much in the city. Also the Scottish mountains are amazing to train and just hike in. 😁
And mountain bike in 😈
And doing low level flying training.
Go to Scotland UK bitcy
Lol😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅
Norway l😅😅😅😅😅😅
Spent five days in the Isle of Skye, Scotland a couple of years ago as a tourist. Stunningly beautiful with magnificent vistas.
My dad is ex 42 commando back in the 60s, he told me when the commando's started u got a train ticket to spean bridge Scotland but no further orders from there after a few hours anyone who didn't start walking to the base and was waiting at the train station got a return ticket back to their old unit
The rocks on that particular mountainside are granite,therefore being very solid,most of our mountains are composed of granite,although there are some quite slippery shale mountain faces in the central to Southern regions of Scotland.
Here in Aberdeen at this time of year the temperature usually fluctuates between - 5 Celcius to +5 Celcius,but the accompanying winds from the North Sea can make it feel much colder.
Other commenters are correctly pointing out that the danger in the Scottish Highlands is not so much extreme lowness of temperature, but the combination of temperatures of around 0° Celsius with wind and rain. Daylight is short in winter. Mountain Rescue is very much valued in Scotland, because the massive threat to people is exposure.
The Highlands are the hardened roots of an ancient mountain range, containing hard rocks such as quartzite ( a metamorphic rock), along with igneous rocks such as basalt, granite, and the ultimate climbers' rock, gabbro.
Great to climb on but sometimes you just feel like giving up and dying.
I think the feeling of cold has a lot more to do with humidity rather than the temperature alone. Scotland’s average humidity is close to 90%, whereas Colorado is 54. So it feels colder as the moisture pulls the heat out of your body really quickly. Living in the UK, due to the how damp the air is, you could have a day where it is 5 degrees C and feels well below freezing, then if you add wind as well, it feels a lot colder than it actually is.
Literally watching this on my tablet in Inverness Airport waiting for my flight back to Gatwick. Spent few days in Highlands/Cairngorm. Man its so stunning even the rain/sleat can't hide it. The American guy was right,you get all four seasons in a day up here. As Ex RRW Infantryman I did most my winter training in Brecon Beacons, Wales. While here I visited Spean Bridge so I got to see the Royal Marine Statue featured in this video. Next time you're over mate hop on a cheap fight up here (was like 45 quid) you would love it.
The Royal Marine Mountain Leaders are special forces. They have everyone from SAS SBS and foreign military units. The Royal Marine Commando is a tough soldier I their own right. But to add this level 2 Cadre to their skill set is phenomenal. Let alone the Instructors. I served 3 different times. My regular service was my 2nd time from 89 to 93 RCT Maritime attached to 3rd Commando Brigade RM. Seeing these guys in Norway first hand is a sight to behold.
Happy New Year from the UK. Have a good 2022.
Great video mate much love from Scotland
Live in Scotland and agree the weather bloody brutal!!
I worked alongside the RM mountain leaders in Norway on Arctic warfare and survival courses in the mid 1990's, very knowledgeable soldiers and their training ethos was second to none, using mentoring and education rather than shouting and screaming. An absolute pleasure to work with these consummate professionals.
I'm a Scotsman and I have a few friends from Canada. They all say -20 in Canada is like -5 in Scotland. But we cry its too hot when it's 20 outside hahahaha
You should check out "Royal Marines Behind The Lines" , it's a series from the mid 80s, following a group of RM training to gain Mountain & Arctic Warfare Cadre status. I remember watching it when it came out and greatly enjoying it. There is a section where they are split into small groups, stripped, given WW2 clothing and dumped on a remote island to survive. One group was led by Lt "Smith", already an SBS officer. They didn't take it too seriously until the instructors tore strips off them for not being camouflaged and they then disappeared - could not even be found when severe weather brought the exercise to an early end.
I remember watching that myself, it is also here on YT. The reason I watched it was because my cousins husband was a member of the M&AWC in the late seventies, I had never even heard about them. He was one of the nicest, laid back blokes you could ever meet. It is definitely worth a watch.
My Uncle John was in the Royal Engineers during WW2, he joined in March 1939 6 months before the war, he did the commando training course in Scotland.
One thing is for certain... it builds confidence in your gear and team.
Nowhere as extreme, I had to climb up a 100 foot moss covered slate rockface in a thunderstorm, got shoved in a 3 foot wide tunnel at the top (potholing), 50 feet long, no light... and told the only way out is forward. Once out, have to abseil back down.
Doesn't sound bad, but when you are 6'-3", 17 stone and suffer from claustrophobia and acrophobia... you always look back and realise the importance of what just happened.
Good on ya mate for conquering your fears. That must be a good confidence boost. I really respect that.
45 Commando are a greagreat bunch of guys! I was based at R.M Condor the home of 45 with my Reserve Glider Squadron for over 30 years until due to cuts our Unit was disbanded! 45 role was particularly focused on Artic Training and as been said this included deployment to Norway although being Marines over the years they were deployed to Northern Ireland, but the guys adapt and have been to a number of theatres of Operation! I miss their banter and Company and became friends with various OC's & 2 I/cs I raise a glass to you all!
Achnacarry is not in the Cairngorms, it’s Lochaber.
Much love and respect from Scotland my American brother. Hope you have a great 2022, wishing you all safe 🏴
Former Royal Marine here. Whilst I served I did 3 Norway deployments. I’ve skied from a young age and although for most lads Norway is hideous it was one of my favourite deployments. I’m a cold weather person so suites me well! Military skis are a different beast compared to civilian versions. Any way love your content mate keep up the good work brother 👌
My uncle was a ski instructor in the Army and in Norway, you ski for miles and miles and miles, and in Scotland, you get snow in the cairngorms, but you also get, as they said, 4seasons in one day. You could get a heatwave for a few hours, then snow, then rain, then back to sunshine. I have family in North Norway, and the weather is the same, but with more snow, but still hot days and Norwegian summers are also hot.
Britain is warm compared to parts of the USA and Canada because we are surrounded by water, and a friend in Canada says that winters in her area can be minus 20-30, I've seen minus 18 max in my life in northern England, and that's only once. Today is sunny and cloudless. Northumberland is gods country and you should visit if you get the chance. All the best mate.
A cool dit about the Norgies that got trained as commando’s. The first ones have an amazing story of their sadly unsuccessful mission in Norway. There is a film about it called ‘The 12th Man’. Truly incredible what Jan Baalsrud went through and the mental fortitude is incredible! Definitely worth a watch or read. If you wanting to read about it probably search up ‘the 12th man’ or ‘Operation Martin’. One of the greatest stories ever!
My memories of training in Scotland ..Cold rain and slightly warm rain ...always rain !!
A few winters ago, it was minus 17c in scotland and it was colder outside than in a freezer.
I climbed Ben Nevis solo around that time it was brutal.
American says he experienced 4 seasons, funny thing is he only arrived yesterday, just a normal day in Scotland!
Very true!
I remember being on the outdoor range in Aberdeen where, in one twenty minute detail, I had blinding sunshine, hail, and driving snow.... oh, and the wind throughout! It's a damp cold that just seems to seep into your bones as opposed to the sharp cold of a bright but snowy day.
really good perspective!
I'm in the Cairngorms, coldest I've had at my house is -14 and the coldest I have experienced up the road is -18, this is all before wind chill so it can get pretty nippy lol. Snow varies alot and anything over 1ft would be a drift or considered abnormal unless on the mountains. The local area is kinda of famous for having multiple different climates within 50 or so miles, the Cairngorms being the most extreme winter conditions in the UK, the Black Isle being its own sub climate of mild temps surrounded on all sides by cold tall mountains and then the rolling fields of farming lands out east towards Aberdeen.
Interesting place to live as I'm 1 mile away from 1000ft elevation change, it can be really mild or really cold, really wet or really dry, loads of snow or nothing lol
I have a short video of the wind of the north that others are commenting on lol ua-cam.com/video/N8Jhut8KeAw/v-deo.html
Think the coldest recorded is around -25, I’m in the south east and it got down to -20 around 95/96
The cold on its own is not the biggest misery, but the combination of cold, wet and wind together which can make for an unpleasant time. Happy New Year, all the best from Oban in Scotland 😉.
the parachute regiment has a series on p company currently the first episode is already out ik you've already reacted to p company but this is a different outlook on it and this time comes directly from the regiment, keep up the vids love them
Royal Marines are trained in Norway because that's expected to be their primary designated NATO role, to defend the Northern NATO flank, If Russia decided to get a little bit silly.
A large chunk of 3 commando brigade here in Plymouth and possibly elements of four two here in Plymouth probably are also part of that deployment.
The CO of 42 CDO liked to tell us our job was to delay the advance of the Russians along the E6, (major road through Norway north to south), until the American's arrived. He told us bluntly that if war did come most of the Corps would been wiped out but the important thing was to slow their advance.
We basically modelled our tactics on the Finnish army during the Winter war with Russia.
Your name is almost as good as mine.
As already mentioned, in the Highlands/mountains, - and especially in the winter months (Nov - Feb, widen by 1-2 months if particularly crap weather) - it's the unique combination of long dark nights (around 16hrs dark), cold - if it's not snowing it WILL be raining, guaranteed windy (significant wind-chill, pushing that cold rain under your clothes), soft, energy-draining bases, slippy rocks/rock faces.
--> all in all a bloody miserable experience. Aye, the Highlanders of old also were bloody tough.
Then again, in the summer and when the sun is shining, it's damn braw!
I'm digging how your channel is developing
😎🤙
A few years ago I was on Ben Nevis, there was sleet and a very strong wind. Reaching the top and standing around a bit,within seconds I couldn't feel my fingers anymore. It's the windchill that gets you and kills you if you're not properly dressed for it.
Our mountains are beautiful but very deadly
New subcriber from Philippines.Sir.I wish more subscriber from Philippines to come.🙏
Scotland gets very cold and snow is common in winter in the Cairngorms.
Simply put prepareing for Russia, the UK's defence area inclues Iceland, Norway, Sweadan, Finnland, and Estonia so UK troops are training the armed forces from the partner nations they are commited to defend. They are often running joint training ops in Norway. The USA is doing exactly the same thing in Germany.
Weather sucks but we complain about it when it actually does get warm!
A piece of history that makes me very proud "The battle of Cable Street". Not your usual i know but very important at that time.
Love your videos
Keep it coming my g
A million years ago (about 15) mountain training and Arctic training followed the same pattern they probably do today. Starting with learning individual skills and survival and practicing them. Building up the training physically adding stresses and tests like yomping through the mountains with weight and ski marching over a number of weeks. Practicing them again and again in troops and at company level. Then range packages again going from personal skills and drills in those environments (can’t remember doing them in Scotland though due to lack of ranges in those areas just Norway) again working up to other heavier weapon systems. I remember my first Norway culminating in the usual end exercise where we were manoeuvring around that environment with full kit both with and without transport ‘fighting’ Norwegians, Americans and some SF components I remember seeing para into the mountains and “bumping” us. Moving all the heavy weapons around on skis and pulks was the hardest parts (I was in a heavy weapons company) and getting into and out of positions to ambush armour and other high value targets etc is so much more difficult in those mountains and temperatures. Would love to hear if it has changed much recently with the moves the corp seems to be making into lighter and quicker more traditional commando style attacks. Are heavy weapons still lumped around etc?
I was based in the scottish highlands when I first joined the military in 2000.. we trained mountain warfare in the Cairngorms all the time,, it’s amaz but brutal with the weather,,
👍🇬🇧Great video as usual
typical temp in Scotland is around 2 deg c on a good day in autumn with wind chill can be -7 deg c, in winter that can drop to -10 or -15, and that's not with snow, just rain and wind chill, with snow on the mountains it can drop to -20 to -25.
at the same time it can be 5 to 7 deg c in the valleys.
🤮
Scotland is a beautiful country, and it's said if you don't like the weather, just wait 30 minutes or so! In the 90's in August I took a hike up Ben Nevis (In the glen it was around 20C/68F and sunny).. I started off by wearing a windproof fleece over my fleecy shirt, fleece lined pants..Instead of hiking up the misnamed 'tourist path' I carried on and up the ridge on the other side that turns back in a big arc. I met up with two guys who it turned out were in the army out for a stroll. The climb on the other side to the summit is pretty tough with millions of chances to stick your foot down a gap between the blocks of stone and break your ankle. At the top the mist was down and the temperature about freezing, by which time I'd now added a fleece lined hat down over my ears, Gortex outer jacket and waterporof over pants, gaiters over my boots, fleece gloves and was still cold, such was the wind. I was thankful for the rucksack with extra clothes, flask of hot soup etc.
The two army lads told me a terrible story of a few years before about a group of Venture Scouts who were lost in the mist and snow and didn't know how to get back to the posts that mark the 'tourist path'. They asked the leader of a group of soldiers who were training, where to go. The leader took out his compass and told them to go on such and such a bearing to get to the top of the path to go down...And off they went, through a snow cornice on the top of a 400 foot drop. Yes, Scotland is breathtakingly beautiful and rugged, but the weather can bite hard.
I did Norway attached to 45 in Jan-Mar 1990. At that time there was a familiarisation period with lots of Brigade admin owe by a ten day arctic survival course - skiing, snow shoes, building of snow holes, ice breaking drills. Everyone seemed to be involved in that, then there was the Arctic Warfare Course proper, learning not just how to survive but how to fight in the arctic. The more advanced hands did a course with Ice Climbing and related things all under the instruction of the ML's. Then a few days preparation for the Brigade exercise which lasted several weeks.
Happy new year combat arms crew
I do a lot of Munros.. Just expect sideways rain and sleat at any time of the year. That's why so many people get undone on the hill. Just take evevthing.. flares. smoke. at least a thermal sheet. love from Inverness
Scotland gets very cold and very wet and the terrain is extremely taxing on the body. Great place to train for the Arctic circle, nothing beats Scandinavia for that sort of training but still a close comparison with similar challenges.
In the UK we always talk about the weather. We don't get extremes with hurricanes or tornados. You can still see 4 seasons in hours. Especially in Scotland. I find Scotland snapped off from Norway. The Lochs are close to the fjords.
As someone from Scotland, I can tell you that those rocks are very stable. I’ve climbed on them myself. Very fun.
I was based in the Scottish highlands from 2000-03 as a mountain warfare battalion and the Cairngorms was our back yard, beautiful scenery but hard going in winter 🥶 😂
The actual temperatures in Scotland never get as low as they do in Washington and the mountains are not as big but the combination of wind and wet make it miserable.
And the changeability. See since the mountains aren't huge, people don't take it as seriously. So they are often more deadly than bigger mountains, since people don't take it seriously
Braemar has the coldest temp ever recorded in Scotland at -27.2C or −17.0 °F which is still quite chilly. I agree, it's the wind and wet that hurts...
@@Damo2690 I have worked in Scotland and Cumbria as a hotel manager and have had to deal with family members collecting the belongings of relatives that have died on the mountains of Scotland and Cumbria, highly experienced walkers and climbers get caught out let alone the novices who have no clue as to how difficult and dangerous the terrain can be when combined with our weather.
The spittle of glenshee and braemars good for skiing
Im off to army assesment in a few weeks, what makes me most hopeful is that these guys come to train here for a few weeks at a time, but im FROM there, a whole lifetime in the highlands ;)
Train in the summer best day of the year
Theo!! In my Job, sometimes as a (DRO) when i was in the SES?! Back in the Mid-Late 90's! After we Finished with using what ever Rope?! We used. We had to Check every one of them for any kinds of, Frays!!
You should react to the Black Devils, AKA the 1st Special Service Force, a combined U.S. and Canadian unit that was stood up during WW2 to fight in mountainous and arctic conditions. The best documentary is the Suicide Missions episode that focused on them which originally aired on the History Channel. Modern day U.S. special ops trace their lineage back to the Devils Brigade.
Quick fact, I’m from near Inverurie and the cairngorms is right on my doorstep, and you get all extreme weathers in the space of 5 minutes, starts sunny then hailstones while it’s still sunny, heavy snow which turns to thunder and lightning with like 75/80mph winds then the sun comes back out😂. The weather is really harsh and unpredictable
normally use a sandbag around the rope on edge of cliff
I'm a highlander... wear a wool jumper.. good shoes and you will be all right... Yes people die walking home from the pub at night... due to exposure... but what the hey... it's where we live... as for moving across country at night.. when I was 12 my Christian union group visited harris... me and another chap were dropped off and walked back 20 miles across the hills with random fog... rain and such.. visibility down to maybe a few feet... perhaps it's just that people from cities are used to stairs and pavements...
I think the worst thing here is the damp rather than just the cold. Canada was colder, but Scotland *felt* colder even though it wasn't really.
Great video as usual 👍
Top reaction
Always a pleasure to sed your videos
There's a cliff face near Glen Doll, in the Highlands of Scotland.
It's used for 'External Leadership' training (which includes climbing and abseiling) by the British Army.
(I'm referring to ordinary infantry; not special forces).
As I backed off the edge of the cliff, my rectal sphincter made some involuntary twitching movements.
I couldn't help it: 90m is a long way down.
I 'performed' quite well: I didn't slip, get the rope tangled, or take too long getting down.
It was a personal achievement.
I was pleased with myself and also got a pat on the shoulder from the Sgt in charge. "Good lad...".
Next in line was my training corporal, who did it facing forward, and his feet touched the cliff face three, maybe four times.
That put my 'achievement' in perspective...
Cold is different in the UK as we have a warm wet climate due to the Gulf stream it never gets that cold. Winters are usually no colder that -5 to -10C but the damp cold really chills you, and as The US serviceman says you can get all 4 seasons in the one day.
I know a lot of mountains in Scotland are granite ... in fact, if you look at the buildings in Scotland they're all very grey looking.
My grandfather left me several pictures of that camp (I think) I don't know much about what he did I was told he taught unarmed combat with the Canadain Rocky Mountain Rangers .. He never spoke about the war but he had mentioned the camp on a trip to Scotland years later.. Its possible he was there to train for the climb up the back of Monte Cassino In Italy with the hasty P's
@combatarmschannel, the rope protection is sand bags and sniper tape. 👍
The slate quarries and rock faces are pretty tight. The weather is what will git cha. Get yer Softie on. Want to know what we do? We're gonna have lots of cuddle time.
If you can imagine the sun Scotland is the furthest spot from it 🤣
They train in that environment. I just live in it. It doesn’t occur to you when you live in the middle of nowhere Highlands that there’s anything unusual or unique about it. It’s just home.
CAC If you have not already seen this, then you probably might want to. All about the original commando course at Achnacarry during WW". Its also where the first US Army Rangers trained
Royal marines arctic training very basic outline
Prior to deployment to Norway ranks will have lectures on Cold weather environment, Putting up arctic tents, cold weather injuries, avalanche etc.
Week one, basic ski training, lectures on living out in the cold and survival.
Week two, Advanced 😁 ski training. Living out in field, tent routines, night sking, demonstrations of all kinds
Week three. Living out in the field, skiing, tactics
Week four, Live firing and section to Company tactics.
After this ranks will deploy on various Company exercises including arctic boat drills, helicopter operations in prep for the Nato execise
Ranks generally deploy to Norway for two to three months starting early January.
This was general routine for Cold weather warefare training in my day but has to have changed now but cant imagine that much.
Have any of you Marines sailed back into Portsmouth with your family on board with you ?
It’s called PACAS now (parents and children at sea ) or as it used to be , Lads & Dads
Iv bean lucky enough to do it twice , Lisbon to Pompey , HMS Somerset and Gib to Pompey on HMS Monmouth ( The Black Duke ) . My son is in the Fleet Air Arm so I came into port with him after getting wasted in both Ports before leaving for home . Gib was very special as it’s a very historic port for the Royal Navy . Anyone know ( or remember their visit to ) the Donkeys Flip Flop ?
We had 2 bad winters in scotland.. a bit back.. about .-28 dc early morning in the highlands when completely calm ie no wind chill etc... the ice just built up each day... with 6 inches on many of the side roads... gritting was ineffective....
You haven't experienced cold until you've been in Scotland when it's 3 degrees Celsius, 20mph wind and sideways rain.
Wet windy and cold, dread to think what it's like in winter.
Scotland gets a lot colder than it needs to be to freeze water yet it doesn’t freeze just gets wetter and muddier
Scottish Highlands are subarctic in winter. The British climate and weather change quickly with just as few hundred meters of elevation due to it being a maritime climate. Other than that it's fairly mild.
The R.M.'s basic wartime role is to help protect Europe's Arctic Northern flank against Russian aggression/invasion of the Finnish borders, we are the Arctic soldiers of the North along with the Dutch Marines and parts of Norway, Sweden and Finland military detachments. Scotland is an excellent training area and the weather is brutal, wet cold and very windy, and never forget the midges.
There's no shortage of horrible weather in the Welsh and Scottish mountains.
Operation Telemark is a prime example of British trained Norwegians doing the business with British assistance.
Also when I was taught to repel I would get told off if my left hand was on the rope and that was from former operators and Marines... I remember the first time I tried going throw a window, in the wind and rain on a rain soaked rendered surface... I made it through the window and I was asked "why the flip is your left hand useless? Come through and be ready to engage"
It was my second time repelling, the third time I came through the window with my left hand free and showing them the middle finger... the response "at least your left hand is useful now... ten press ups for being a smart ass!"
Great video as usual, Happy new year, mate .
You as well 🤙
Hi from Scotland, I enjoyed your video, I seem to remember hearing that the forunner of the CIA trained in the Scottish mountains during ww2, as did other special forces.the Dutch Marines come and train as well.
Mate scotland all year round is freezing, absolutely beautiful though
not really, ive lived in Scotland all my life, it only gets cold here in the winter unless you are way up north definitely not freezing year round. its winter here and its only 0 celsius, places in canada and US get to -10 celsius regularly and even colder, we have fairly mild weather in the UK
When i did my training in the early 90s down in Winchester UK,we had a few guys one from St Lucia a mountain of a man and a guy called shaloke i thiught he was canadian but i never found out
It can get to -10ºC easily in the Winter in Scotland. Then the next day it might be +3ºC and raining. Not super cold but it's windy and wet.
North East England has had a close relationship with Norway for decades, centuries even. They traded with us at the docks of Newcastle Upon Tyne when we still had them and some geordie slag are close to or actual Norwegian words 😅❤
As was said the first commando school was in Scotland and initially was training Uk forces but very soon trained resistance and what would now be called special forces from all over Europe and America, there is film of Americans training in WW2 with the British , so the American who spoke is in that tradition.
One thing I noticed is the difference between the type of cold in Scotland and norway.in the UK the cold weather is damp and chills to the bone, but in Norway it is a dry crisp cold that is much more easier to handle.
Putting on wet gloves on already cold hands is a lot harder than cold but dry gloves .
Give me continental Europe conditions anytime.I suppose that in the long run it is an advantage when you are happy with the cold weather having experienced much worse during training,it gives that little edge over others having less brutal experience..... that is my pragmatic approach anyway.....
great video as usual, your link for express VPN is not working by the way :( great to see my home country and have to say the weather is just crap all the time here! lol the brown padding over the rope is just hessian sacks (sand bags) with black nasty to hold it on, easy and spot on.
Fixed, thanks for that!
Lowest temp in Scotland was average winter temperature of 0.19°C. On the whole it's not been as bad, but you have snow often towards the warmer summer months of May-June+ in the Cairns. Although since I moved 15 odd years ago, (feckin Nora), things could well have changed I guess. I have'nae a clue, anyone?.
Ahh, scotland!