MJ,
Know what you mean about the badge system. At the risk of abuse from others, the Silver is the ONLY important one - equivalent to the PPL in many ways and internationally recognised. The others are a way of paying money to get a badge to prove you did something - the distance milestones they represent are inportant though. The scottish clubs like the height gains as this generates a lot of revenue from the south.
Glad you had fun. Never been to Aboyne myself - always found Feshie a blast though (both the people and the wind).
Biggest problem power pilots have are using their feet and keeping the glider "flying" until it stops, with some having an issue with being so low when you touch down.