One of the biggest youth organisations in the country is struggling for numbers in the north of Scotland.
And now, a crisis meeting has been called by the Ullapool Air Training Corps (ATC), because it is in danger of running out of cadets within the next four months.
Other units throughout the Highlands are experiencing similar problems as the number of young cadets dwindles.
Gairloch, Oban, Fort William and Thurso all currently have low numbers of attendees.
But in Ullapoool, in particular, the numbers have declined markedly during the last two years and, of five regular attendees, most will move on after leaving school.
The unit has run for the last 22 years with well in excess of 100 cadets benefiting from the opportunities the corps can offer.
Activities include flying, gliding, sports, music, marksmanship, teamwork and active citizenship.
Peter Harrison, chairman of the unit support committee, said: “If the unit is to remain viable and vibrant, there have to be enough cadets wanting to take up the challenges.
“Within three months, the number of cadets is likely to decline as some move on.
“A meeting has therefore been called for 3.30pm at the Macphail Centre in Ullapool on Saturday March 24 to discuss the future of the unit and receive new expressions of interest.
“Please attend or contact me if you wish to see the unit continue.”
Highland Wing media officer, Squadron Leader Andy Dobson, added: “It varies from unit to unit.
“Obviously Ullapool is hitting a low point at the moment in relation to cadet numbers, it is a critical stage where, if they don’t get some new blood through the doors, the unit will not be viable.
“There are other units not quite at that point but where numbers are low. I have run a squadron in Alness for 16 years and it does go through peaks and troughs.
“The areas not quite as comfortable as they could be are Gairloch, Oban, Fort William and Thurso.
“It is more a problem in remote areas where a lot of the high school pupils live outwith the town.”
Units in Wick, Inverness and Elgin currently have healthy numbers.
Sq Ldr Dobson added: “We give kids life skills which will benefit them in whatever avenue of employment they go down.
“We are not a recruitment agency.”
