Warm welcome for Scouting trio

Karl Bergholtz, Ester Selin and Nils Rood, who are all from the Scandinavian nation, were challenged to walk 100 miles across Dumfries and Galloway in just ten days to earn their Explorer Belt.
The trio, who had no idea of their final destination when they departed from Stockholm’s airport, were dropped off in Newton Stewart last Tuesday and tasked to reach Carlisle by today.
And they are full of praise for the generosity they have received in the region – including a free meal at The Bruce Restaurant in Annan on Tuesday afternoon and free lodgings in Kirkpatrick Fleming that night.
Karl, 18, said: “We are really happy as the Scottish people are very hospitable. We’ve slept indoors three nights, including in a shed, and people have let us camp in their gardens which is really nice.
“The first couple of days were rough because we pushed ourselves to the hardest limit and our legs were a bit sore.”
The friends, who are not allowed to pay for food or accommodation, are among 39 young explorers taking part in the expedition.
Ester, also 18, said: “We can pay for ingredients but we can’t pay for meals, although we can accept them from others.
“It has been a lot tougher than I imagined as you can’t stop and have to keep going so that has been quite emotional.”
And 19-year-old Nils added: “The experience has been amazing and people are very kind and we have seen some lovely scenery.”