Highland 4x4 Response are actively recruiting in the Caithness area so that we can effectively support our partners such as NHS Highland during poor weather scenarios.

We are hosting an OPEN DAY on Sunday July 28th. location: W3W plastic.crank.braked. Just outside of Thurso.

Feel free to attend at any point during the day and meet some of the team. There will be an off-road course that you can test your vehicle on if you wish.
We are also running an off-road driving training day for our members. Should you join the group before this date or wish to on the day then please arrive promptly at 9:30 AM, bring lunch and suitable clothes for the weather. This thoroughly enjoyable course covers the basics for using you 4x4 off road or in low traction environments and will fast track you to becoming an operational member of the group. There is no cost.

Any queries?

Then we would love to hear from you, please email James: vicechair@highland4x4response.com or contact us on facebook.

We are also at the Caithness Show the weekend before so please come and say hello.

For more information about what we do and how to join us, browse our website. Or let us know you are interested here on facebook fb.me/e/55FHVUOP1​

Brief
Planning for the Cross starts a few months prior to June for the Team – we are asked for between 7 and 9 vehicles each year to support Kintail (2 vehicles) and the Yellow Brick Road – Altnamulloch to the Quarry.  Our role is to support the Altnamulloch Team through the most remote section – to transport them and their equipment out, to assist with setting up and returning them back down the track, as well as providing transport across the yellow brick road for any competitors who are unable to continue. 
As ever, there are Standard Operational Procedures to follow, to ensure that our Responders know how to keep each competitor and themselves safe and this is communicated to all who are supporting the day.
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Preparations
As this was the 40th anniversary, the team leader for Altnamulloch and myself had a ‘vital’ coffee and cake meeting two weeks prior to the Cross to discuss how we were best to celebrate this – agreed upon; 80s music; banners, balloons and cake!
The night before the event, we collect all the equipment that is needed – from the gazebos, to gas bottles and the food, a full trailer load!

 
Day of the Cross
0700 – Meet up at the old Cannich Hotel site, to have a catch up, a full Team briefing and to respond to any questions that the Team may have.
0800 – Stop off at the quarry to pick up the radio for Altnamulloch and then onto the car park to collect the Altnamulloch Team before moving off.
0900 onwards – We then erect two gazebos and a walk through. The gazebos provide space and cover for the Altnamulloch team to lay out their food along with an area for MERT to provide any first aid needed.  The walk through is to provide shelter to the volunteers handing out water and juice. This year we had a mixed bag of weather, sunshine, showers with a wind but no midges!
Breakfast is always important to the team, a cuppa and bacon rolls which always goes down well.

Two team members support taking volunteers and their equipment further up the track, before returning and setting off to their respective posts, Forrest Boundary; White Cottage and the Quarry (change over point).
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This year, it felt as though the runners and walkers came through in a steady stream, with members of both groups (Altnamulloch and Highland 4x4 Response) supporting each other to ensure that water and refreshments are provided to the competitors who pass through, along with shouts of “well done” and clapping from us all.

​The helicopter landed this year to support with anyone who required to be medevac’d but everyone was able to continue. One of our Responders works with the helicopter to provide transport between the landing zone and the medical tent.
1500: The day moved quick and not before long the sweep team for the runners had passed through, therefore it was time to pack up, to reverse the process, but we had to ensure that our vehicles could move along the Yellow Brick Road safely and not interfere with those walkers or runners still on the track, which we did via the radio.
1700: After dropping the Altnamulloch Team at the car park, we then meet up at the Quarry to support any Highland Cross volunteers and organisers who may require a lift back to Inverness before heading back to drop of the equipment and home for a takeaway and a well-earned drink!

​A debrief always takes place so that we can communicate any worries or concerns to the organisers of the Cross and they do take these on board, which supports everyone in future years.  Highland 4x4 Response has been a part of the Highland Cross’s community for around 13 years, it is a great day, always very well run (excuse the pun) and a worthwhile cause. We hope that this partnership will continue for many years to come.