Comms Gurus & Comms Curious
You can’t pitch a tent alone, and telling our story is no different. We’re pulling together a team to rethink everything—from our social feeds and website to this newsletter. It’s a clean slate to experiment, create, and build a comms engine that actually works. Got an idea? Have an hour to spare for crafting a post, writing a blog, or finally figuring out those Word document margins? This is about making things that matter. If you want to use your skills where they’ll genuinely make a difference, come and build something with us. Sound like your kind of challenge? Let’s talk. Please email communications@sesscouts.org.uk
Vacancies at Bonaly Scout Centre
SEEE Update
End of 2025 expeditions || Planning for 2026 Our expedition season finished last week with a very successful Bronze expedition by the Turbo Ducks team from the Borders and East Lothian. We will shortly be inviting Explorers and Network members to let us know if they would like to do an expedition with us next year. Watch for further messages and updates on www.see-expeditions.org.uk . We are still looking for more volunteers to join the SEEE Core Team that organises the expeditions. This is the ideal time to join us, as we prepare to launch our programme for 2026. See the message already sent: We have an urgent need for more organisational/admin support. Most things can be done at home on a computer, at times that suit you. We also need someone to look after our not inconsiderable amount of kit to make sure it ends up in the right place. If you, or anyone you know, would be interested in becoming involved with our team, please get in touch by email seee.team@sesscouts.org.uk to find out more. Remember, this does not need to be someone to have a particular role in Scouting, and it could be a good way to get to know the world of Scouting across South East Region. David Newton and John Buchanan for SEEE
Youth Update
Youth Update Uniform Bank: A SES Scouts we’re really fortunate to have a uniform bank. If you have a young person that is unable to afford a uniform, please email uniform.bank@sesscouts.org.uk, along with their section and size and we will get one sent out to your group free of charge. We also accept donations of uniforms that are no longer used (including badges!), please email us to find out on how to donate! 14-24 Awards Celebration (invites will go out on 15th Oct): We’re really excited to announce that we’ll be holding our first Explorers and Network awards celebration on 29th November. Invites for Young People and Adult Volunteers have already gone out! If you have any questions about the event or want to find out more, please email george.brightman@sesscouts.org.uk Youth Team Vacancies We’re currently looking to expand our youth team! If you’re aged 14-24 and are interested in advocating for the voices of young people across the Region and beyond (or know someone who is), please email george.brightman@sesscouts.org.uk. We’re especially looking for young people interested in programme, governance and engagement but are really keen to hear from anyone who wants to get stuck in with being youth shaped!
Portuguese Scouts Bring Their Spirit to Bonaly!
Last summer, the Portuguese Scout Group from Almada, near Lisbon, brought colour, laughter, and friendship to Bonaly Scout Centre during their week-long summer camp. With around 80 participants from all sections, the camp was a vibrant celebration of scouting and international friendship. Themed around Scottish history and folklore, the scouts were divided into five “families”: the Pookas, Kelpies, Brownies, Ceasg, and Wulvers. Each group embraced the theme with creativity, songs, and challenges inspired by the legends of Scotland. Among the many highlights was João, a 13-year-old from the Serpentes Patrol of the Scout section, who amazed everyone with his lightning-fast Rubik’s Cube skills, earning the title of the group’s pride! Younger scouts also shone — Ema, only 7 years old, proudly earned her Farmers and Construction badges during the camp, showing that scouting values start young. The Kelpies family stood out for their enthusiasm and humour, especially their leader — instantly recognisable by his funny horse mask! Their group salute video became a camp favourite, capturing the joyful spirit that filled the week. As the campfire faded on the last night, the scouts from Almada left behind not only laughter and memories but also a strong message of international friendship, adventure, and scouting unity.
Gang Show 2025
With three weeks to go until ‘curtain up’ the Gang are heading into final rehearsals, and the backstage teams are getting everything ready for another Edinburgh Gang Show at the Festival Theatre. We hope to see as many groups at the show to support our young people onstage. Gang Show has lots to offer our audiences (see promotional video below) so give it a go in 2025! Video Link Here The running time of the show is 2 hours 15 minutes including an interval. Tue 4 to Sat 8 November Festival Theatre Box Office – 0131 529 6000 (Group 8+) 0131 529 6005 – Group Discounts available. Book now – Edinburgh Gang Show 2025 – Capital Theatres
Young Leader Weekend in York 6-8 March 2026
South East Region Scouts are running a trip to York over the weekend of 6 – 8 March 2026. A note of interest email was sent to all 14-24 Team Leads to ask them to send out the information to all Young Leaders across the Region. Invites will go out to each District through OSM. Please speak to your Team Lead for Young Leaders or your 14-24 Team Lead for information regarding sign-up to this event when it goes live. Any questions then please email youngleaders@sesscouts.org.uk
Skycamp 2025 at Bonaly Scout Centre
Nearly two hundred Explorers from across South East Scotland took part in Skycamp at Bonaly from 26th–28th September 2025. Teams built and stayed in camps set up between 50cm and 3 metres above the ground, using ropes, hammocks, and pioneering poles. The event focused on teamwork, practical skills, and making sure camps were safe and tidy. Building the Skyzones was a highlight for many, with Explorers enjoying the challenge of creating their own base in the trees. Cooking, eating, and sleeping off the ground made for a memorable weekend. Well done to Robert, Caroline, Caelan, Willa, Lucas and Max from Borestane Explorers, Pentland, for their efforts. Thanks to everyone who took part and helped make the event a success. Thanks to all the leaders involved and for the support of Bonaly Scout Centre. Fraser Dunmore
New Facilities at Ken’s Den, Bonaly Scout Centre
Ken’s Den is located on the right hand side (behind the Barn) of the main field. The self contained small village consists of three sleeping log cabins with lighting and heating, a shelter with kitchen facilities, a cabin with toilet, campfire with seating , picnic tables and camping area. The facilities can accommodate 25 people in total. The Sheiling Cabin with 5 bunk beds and mattresses – sleeping 10 persons, with an attached separate cabin with 2 beds for adults . The Bothy Cabin with 5 bunk beds and mattresses – sleeping 10 persons The Howf – New ! Cabin with 3 x single beds – sleeping 3 adults The Loo – New ! Cabin with a toilet and wash hand basin for overnight use The Shelter Kitchen facility – worktops, fridge, sink with cold water (no hot water), food storage rack and seating area. Catering equipment , gas burner and gas are included External Three round picnic tables (seating for 25 persons). Campfire circle with seating. Camping for a couple of hike tents Bookings Make a booking by email info@bonaly.org.uk
Cerys reports on her visit to Brekkelugan, the Faroe islands Jamboree
I was lucky enough to go to the Faroe Islands in the summer this year as part of the Scottish unit (Caledonian Chaos). 20 explorer scouts and 5 leaders went from Edinburgh at the end of July to Torshavan, the capital city, getting there before the actual jamboree for their national day Olafstoka, St Olafs day. The Faroe Islands are located roughly half way between Scotland and Iceland. An outstanding 18 islands rise out of the Atlantic Ocean. They are made up of volcanic rock with very few trees and little vegetation, all connected by under the sea tunnels and roundabouts. It was a very pioneering based camp as we had to make our own camp areas and dining shelters, which consisted of pallets, pioneering poles & tarpaulins. I think our Scottish unit shelter beat the rest! The activities were great fun and ranged from abseiling, to exploring nature, to catapult building and kayaking in the sea. I did not enjoy kayaking and let me tell you the Atlantic is very cold! Being Scottish on an international camp is epic. Obviously, everyone wears a scout uniform, but we stand out with our kilts and bagpipes. We all shared parts of our culture-on-culture day, swapping whale for haggis and Irn Bru, everyone loved the Tunnocks too (our sponsors). We also shared dances, we joined in with the traditional Faroese dancing and because we’re Scottish we hosted a whole camp ceilidh. I can’t thank the unit leaders enough for all the training camps beforehand and making the Faroes so special for us. Before going I listened to other people saying that these camps are life changing and I didn’t know what they meant, until now. I have made so many friends across the globe with some awesome friends across Scotland. Since being chosen at the end of last year to coming home I feel like my confidence has grown and that the Faroes will stay with me forever. I’d like to thank all the people that supported me and helped me prepare to go, my leaders at the 82nd and finally the unit leaders who gave up their time for us. My advice if you’re thinking about going abroad with scouts, you definitely should! Cerys Balchin from the 82nd Craigalmond Explorers