Pictured above at Gourock Karate Club with Sensei Frank Brennan are Senseis Michael Sherlock, David Royle and Jennifer Madden on their recent training weekend in Scotland. Pictured also are Gourock club instructor, Sensei David Gillies (to the right of Sensei Royle), and instructors from Largs Karate Club

Hot on the heels of a very successful Sensei Frank Brennan course in Dublin, three USKFI seniors travelled to Scotland to train with Sensei Brennan at various KUGB Scotland clubs, an event which has become an annual one. As usual, the host KUGB Scotland clubs of Largs, Gourock and the Glasgow Karate Academy in Bishopbriggs, Glasgow, could not have been more welcoming. After landing in Edinburgh, the group travelled to Largs on Scotland's west coast for a two-hour brown and black belt course. There was an excellent atmosphere on the class and the USKFI seniors enjoyed, in particular and among other things, a vigorous kumite session.

On Saturday morning, it was the turn of Gourock karate club for a more technical class comprising primarily partner work and kata. Again, the USKFI contingent thoroughly enjoyed training with Largs and Gourock seniors, who had all turned up to train. After a couple of hours to recharge the batteries, the group travelled back in to Glasgow for an all-grades class in the suburb of Bishopbriggs. As with the previous clubs, Glasgow Academy Instructor Ben Fail made a point of welcoming the visitors who finished off the weekend's training with an array of combinations and detailed kata study.

The USKFI would like to thank Senseis Mark McKinlay and Gordon McKay of Largs SKC, Sensei David Gillies of Gourock SKC and Sensei Ben Fail of Glasgow Karate Academy for their hospitality over the weekend. In particular, thanks go to Barbara Casey of Glasgow Karate Acedemy who was particularly helpful and hospitable to the USKFI contingent during their visit.