Longcraig is a water sports centre owned and operated by the Scout Association and run entirely by volunteer staff to provide adventurous activies based around the water. The centre operates from a purpose built building situated in the corner of the Dalmeny Estate by Longcraig pier, South Queensferry. Longcraig is also a recognised RYA training centre.
Scouting by the sea happens when an amazing team come together. All are adult volunteers and we are very grateful for their support.
Next in our South East of Scotland Scouts ‘Meet our Volunteer’ series, we’d like to introduce you to Malcolm Leckie, Active Support Manager, Longcraig Scouts.
Please read Malcolm’s Scouts volunteering story below.
Interested to get involved with Longcraig? Or why not find the perfect volunteer role for yourself. More comfortable behind the scenes? You don’t always have to work directly with young people to volunteer with Scouts. Please get in touch.
Name – Malcolm Leckie
Region – South East Scotland; Longcraig Scouts (Regional role), Powerboat Assessor (Regional appointment)
Role – Active Support Manager managing circa 50 volunteers (and I deliver water activity sessions)
Your time in Scouting
I moved from being a Venture Scout when I was 18 to become an Assistant Scout Leader and got my first official appointment in February 1979. In 1987 I got married and moved to New Zealand but got “caught” in 1988 and asked to run the Gordon Scout Troop (Kauri District) in Christchurch. This was a new experience in Scouting with the emphasis much more on outdoor activities but great fun. I left the troop in August 1990 as we returned to the UK in September. At the end of 1991, I was approached to become the Scout Leader for the 108th Colinton (Merchiston now Pentland) Scouts which I took up in 1992 and I continued in this role until 1995. I became involved with Longcraig in 1995 culminating in chairing the opening committee for the new building in September 1998. I officially took over as Centre Manager at Longcraig Scout Centre in April 1999 though had been unofficially been in post since the end of 1998. This role has changed names a few times and currently goes under the name Active Support Manager (Longcraig) but the delivery, responsibilities and the fun are still the same.
Previous Scouts experience
Why did I start
It was a natural step when I became too old for Scouts to move into a Leader role in the group I was with.
What is the best thing you’ve done while volunteering with Scouts?
Gaining new skills by trying out different additional roles as I was involved with the Edinburgh region training team as a supporter (what would be called now an Equipment Manager!) to help the trainers before, during and after the courses and I was a member of the Business Committee and therefore working with business aspects of the region. Also I learnt that business skills transfer back to Scouting to help – IT/Risk management for instance.
Have you learned anything new as a volunteer?
Yes!! I have had the opportunity to learn water skills so I now have permits to take young people out sailing, kayaking, rafting and powerboating. I’m also a Regional Powerboat Assessor. Working at Longcraig has also taught me how to repair boats and other equipment, not to mention be able to enhance my DIY skills around the centre.
How do you think volunteering helps in your life?
Volunteering provides opportunities to learn new skills, meet new friends and be able to give something back to Scouting where I had so much fun as a young person (many years ago!). It s a good outlet to get away from work pressures and provide value and direction to the next generation.
What would you say to anyone who is thinking of volunteering with Scouts/group?
Why wait! We are involved to provide opportunities for young people to gain new skills and experience things they might not be able to do otherwise. Even a few hours over a month can make a difference – regardless of it being a regular commitment or not. Activity provision may seem like a lot of hard work but it provides a really positive environment for young people. The biggest buzz I get is seeing someone at the end of a session glowing with happiness coming back from the water activity who, at the start of the session, was crying and totally afraid to try the activity.
Thinking of becoming a volunteer?
Why not take get in touch to discuss volunteering opportunities. We need your help.
Volunteers make Scouts happen at a national level as well as a local one. From our Chief Scout and Chair of our Board to the incredible volunteers who support young people as leaders and occasional helpers at our local groups, these are just some of the superstars who’ve stepped up to inspire a generation.
We’re proud that Scouts is a volunteer led movement. That’s where you come in.
Volunteer roles
GetInvolved @ Longcraig – we are looking for people to join our volunteer team. If you would like to get involved check out our recruitment page.
We are not just looking for water qualified people. We need volunteers to help get the boats out of storage and stowed away at the end of each session and to help get participants on to the water. We also need people who can help maintain and look after our buildings and equipment. Longcraig is supported by a core team of just 35 people, yet we deliver activities almost everyday from May to September. We would relay like to spread the load and hope you can help.
Please see our recruitment page for details.
Make a difference, volunteer today
Enquiry form
Let’s find the right fit for you
Share your contact details and select the opportunities you’re interested in below. We’ll pass them on to the appropriate member, who’ll be in touch shortly:
