By Cameron Buttle BBC Scotland reporter

Arctic warfare skills are being taught to 45 Commando

The company has already done two tours of Afghanistan and could be heading there again later this year.

I found that the Royal Marine Commandos have a language all of their own.

It is not "hoofing" to "buffalo" a "wet" in someone's tent in the arctic. It will cost you one "slab" if you do.

"Hoofing" is good, you're not a happy Marine if you're "threaders".

It's one of the finer points of etiquette when spending time with Royal Marine Commandos.

Four hundred of them are nearing the end of their cold weather warfare course at Asegarden Camp near Harstad on the very northern tip of Norway.

Survive, move and fight

Here, we're 200 miles inside the arctic circle and temperatures will easily drop below -20C (-4F) and the wind chill factor makes it feel like -40C (-17F).

The Royal Marines have been training here since 1970 because Norway would have been the exposed northern flank if the cold war had ever broken out.

It was the Royal Marines' job to stop the Russians from taking over the strategically vital ports on the west coast.

The Cold War threat has thawed but the training is just as vital today according to Colour Sgt Larry Foden, a Mountain Leader with 45 Commando.

Colour Sgt Larry Foden says the environment takes its toll

He's an expert in arctic warfare which he sums up in three basic principles - survive, move and fight.

Colour Sgt Foden said: "Enemy action accounts for very few casualties when operating in these conditions, it's the environment that takes its toll.

"Mountain warfare training is just as relevant today as it was 40 years ago. Mountainous regions tend to act as natural borders and are often a point of conflict between nations.

"Mountains are traditionally seen as safe havens for militant forces, they are points of retreat and defence. We have to be able to operate in these areas."

It was a mild day at Whiskey Company HQ, no wind chill and temperatures peaking at a balmy -4 (24F). Company Commander Major Ross Preston was in deep discussion with his senior NCOs.

As they blew the steam off thermos cups they argued which was the better "hot wet" - Marine speak for a warm drink, vanilla tea or herbal blackcurrant.

Crate of beer

Then Major Preston shamefully admitted to "a full buffalo" in the tent that morning, knocking over someone's "hot wet".

A veteran of several Norway tours, he knows that will cost him at least one "slab" - a crate of beer for his tent.

That night temperatures dropped, the wind chill brought it down to -10 (14F). Major Preston watched as Whiskey Company launched an attack on an "enemy" position.

His three new troop commanders have recently passed out of officer training. His experienced eye follows them as the attack rolls over the position. He grudgingly admits they've done a good job.

"This is tough work, if they can operate here, we can take this training anywhere. It's not just the techniques of fighting and manoeuvring in the snow and ice, it's the working in extremes that counts too."