Scouting in Scotland


Scouting in Scotland is largely represented by Scouts Scotland, a registered Scottish Charity No. SC017511 that is affiliated to the Scout Association of the United Kingdom. The Baden-Powell Scouts' Association also has a presence in Scotland.
There are five student associations at various universities in Scotland, each of which is affiliated to the Student Scout and Guide Organisation : University of Aberdeen Guides and Scouts, Heriot-Watt University SSAGO, University of St Andrews Scout and Guide Club, University of Stirling SSAGO and University of Strathclyde Guides and Scouts.

History of Scouting in Scotland

The 1st Glasgow Scout Group has a claim to be the first Scout Troop, as it holds a registration certificate dated 26 January 1908. No other Scout troop has documentation that pre-dates this.
The 24th Glasgow Scout Group's published history has it forming January 1908, although this is not currently recognised by The Scout Association. The 3rd Glasgow Scout Group are also listed as one of the first Groups to have started in 1908.
Oral tradition was that the 12th Glasgow troop was the first troop outside central Glasgow. The story told by leaders in the mid-70's was that the 12th Glasgow was the second formed but had to take the number 12th as the first 11 numbers were reserved for city troops. The group's own website gives a starting date of May 1908.
It is acknowledged by Scout Headquarters in Gillwell that many Groups were meeting as early as 1907 although registration did not begin until 1908. The 10th Craigalmond Scout Group in Edinburgh was, for example, meeting in late 1907 and there are a number of other Groups still existing to this day who formed immediately following reports of the camp on Brownsea Island. Until 1919 registration was undertaken by local associations and not centrally.
Mr. Jack Stewart, a former International Commissioner for Scotland, founded the Blair Atholl International Jamborette in 1946. It has been held every two years since that date, with representatives of more than 50 countries attending.
The centenary of Scouting was marked by a debate and reception in the Scottish Parliament initiated by member of the Scottish Parliament, Robert Brown, in December 2007.

Scouts Scotland

A Scottish headquarters, at Fordell Firs in Fife, for training, programme and administration in Scotland goes back to 1909. The current Chief Commissioner of Scotland is Andrew Sharkey.
There are 50,081 members in Scotland with 38,636 youth members and 11,445 adult volunteers.
In May 2018 a new strategy called "Our plan for better futures in Scotland" was launched to set out the organisations plans from 2018 – 2023.
Eight new regions of the Scout Association in Scotland were formed on 1 April 2008, by amalgamating the previous Scout Areas.

Highlands and Islands Region

The Highlands and Islands Region was formed by amalgamating the six previous Scout Areas of Caithness, Inverness, Lochaber, Orkney, Ross and Sutherland, and Western Isles. The old areas are now the six Scout Districts in the Region:
The North East Scotland Region was formed by amalgamating the six previous Scout Areas of Aberdeen, Banff and Buchan, Gordon, Kincardine and Deeside, Moray, and Shetland.
There are now 8 Scout District in the Region:
The East Scotland Region was formed by amalgamating the four previous Scout Areas of Dundee, Fife, Perth and Kinross, and Angus.
The 2nd Fife Scout Group was founded in 1908 and is the oldest existing Scout Group in Fife and one of the oldest in Scotland. It also owns one of the most-used Scouting campsites in Fife, Nineacres.
There are now ten Scout Districts in the Region:
The South East Scotland Region was formed by amalgamating the four previous Scout Areas of Borders, East Lothian, Midlothian, and City of Edinburgh.
There are now seven Scout Districts in the Region:
The Edinburgh Scout Area was formerly 8 Districts: Blackford, Haymarket, Inverleith, Leith, Merchiston, Morningside, Pentlands and Almond Valley and Portobello.
When the Edinburgh Scout Area was changed to South East Region the area contained 10 Districts: Borders, East Lothian, Midlothian, Pentland, Haymarket, Blackford, Morningside, Leith and Portobello. The changes made in April 2012 reflect the current Scouting Area.

Forth Region

The Forth Region was formed by amalgamating the three previous Scout Areas of Clackmannan, Forth Valley, and West Lothian.
There are now four Scout Districts in the Region:
The Clyde Region was formed by amalgamating the two previous Scout Areas of Greater Glasgow and Lanarkshire. Greater Glasgow was a Scout Area that included the local government authorities of the City of Glasgow and East Dunbartonshire, along with parts of North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire and East Renfrewshire. Lanarkshire was a Scout Area covering Lanarkshire.
The 28th Glasgow Scout Group's Hut was used to hold the Nazi Party Deputy Leader, Rudolf Hess, after his plane crashed in nearby Eaglesham. This Group is particularly active in international events, helping to organise the Ukrainian Scottish Experience, which helps Ukrainian children to visit Scotland and participate in Scouting during the summer.
The 77th Glasgow Scout Group is the only group in Scotland that caters for young people with physical disabilities. It has all four sections — Cubs, Scouts, Explorer Scouts and Scout Network.
The 24th Glasgow Scout Group, is one of the largest Groups with four Beaver Scout Colonies, four Cub Scout Packs, two Scout Troops and an Explorer Scout Unit.
There are eight Scout Districts in the Region:
The West Scotland Region was formed by amalgamating the three previous Scout Areas of Argyll, Dunbartonshire, Renfrew and Inverclyde.
There are now five Scout Districts in the Region.
The oldest Scout group in Greenock and District is 5th Greenock and District "Westburn's Own". It started in 1908 and the first Scoutmaster was Sergeant D. Ferguson. Former group members include Sir Albert McQuarrie, Sam Galbraith and three Silver Wolf recipients, Colin Finnie, Jimmy McElwee, and Duncan Riddell. The group won the World Pipe Band Championship in 1922.

South West Scotland Region

The South West Scotland Region was formed by amalgamating the three previous Scout Areas of Ayrshire, Dumfriesshire and Galloway. The region covers the four Local Authorities of North Ayrshire, East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, and Dumfries & Galloway.
There are now five Scout Districts in the Region.
The Scout Association in Scotland is responsible for three activity centres:
Templars' Park Scout Campsite in the North East Scotland Region, is located on the south bank of the River Dee about 8 miles west of the city of Aberdeen, and is maintained by the City of Aberdeen Scout Council. The site has capacity for around 2,000 campers, as well as indoor accommodation. A number of Scouting activities are provided on site, including archery and pioneering, and there are also a number of local facilities providing other adventurous activities. Templars' Park, formerly the home-park of Maryculter House, within the Kincardineshire parish of Maryculter, was purchased by the City of Aberdeen Boy Scouts' Association in December, 1935. The following year, it was opened by Baden-Powell.
The East Scotland Region, formerly Perth and Kinross Area, jointly with Girlguiding Perth and Kinross, runs Craggan campsite, located between the Braco – Comrie road and the Muthill – Crieff road.
In the South West Scotland Region there are:
Shorefield is the main campsite for Galloway Area Scouts.
The South-East district main campsite is Bonaly Campsite. It is situated in Edinburgh.
In the West Region, the Regional Scout Council owns Lapwing Lodge, a former hospital, to provide indoor accommodation and full camping facilities.
Clyde Region operates Auchengillan which is located north of the City.

Gang Shows

In 2008, the National Scout and Guide Symphony Orchestra performed at the Edinburgh Festival playing 'The Great Adventure', a symphony commissioned for the Scouting 2007 Centenary.
Blair Atholl International Jamboree
Blair Pathol International Jamboree is Scottish Scouting's premier international event and has been held, with the kind support of the Dukes of Atholl and Atholl Estates, every two years since 1946. The camp brings together approx 1000 young people and 700 adults with representatives of more than 50 countries for a 10 day camp.
http://www.jamborette.org.uk/