Longcraig Update – November 2024

30 Nov 2024

Ian Harrower

Longcraig Scout Centre

Looking forward to 2025

Our planning for 2025 is now under way.

So, to help avoid disappointment, if you or your section or your Group has any plans for a water activity event – either at Longcraig or elsewhere – that I anything out of the ordinary for a regular activity booking – get in touch!

Up to the end of this year, we welcome any suggestions for events or activities that we can support or indeed even run for you. This could be a special anniversary, Akela’s big birthday, a celebration of something special – or just a group day out by the seaside messing about in boats.

Does your Group or your District have an ASU team – we might be able to help with arranging an activity day for the ASU – we don’t always exclusively do things for young people.

No matter what your idea, get in touch and see if we can turn your idea into an event!

For example, although we are not yet able to routinely offer our activities to younger sections (Squirrels, Beavers) we can do so, and sometimes the best way to approach this is through a Group event which could incorporate some boating activity for Beavers within it.

How to get in touch? getinvolved@longcraig.info

New Compass benefits

Looking forward to the new Membership Database which is rolling out very shortly?

One of the things it can make easier for adult members is applying for an Activity Permit.

This is all done within the database online package – you simply click on the appropriate link, and it takes you through the process of making an application. Selecting an Activity Assessor will also be much more visible – suitable assessors will appear on your screen, and you just have to select one. Don’t pick the best looking one – all the assessors will assess people to the same standards and all assessments are now done in conjunction with another assessor – so there’s no Good ones nor Bad ones! The assessment process for Permits is not changing – it’s just the process flow that will be much more streamlined and available to all within the new system.

New Tractor

Our final acquisition of 2024 was a replacement tractor that we use for moving boats up and down the pier – especially our safety boats which we have to launch and recover every time we are running activities.

This new Solis tractor replaces our faithful orange Kubota, which we acquired (second hand) in 2009, and which is starting to show some signs of its age. The new tractor was picked from around 6 different options and was selected on the basis of Best Value for purchase cost, equipment and features, trade in value for the old tractor, and overall suitability. It’s already been waxed in the hidden parts underneath so we can minimise the damage caused by the salty water atmosphere that we encounter so close to the sea.

This tractor was funded by a generous grant from the Bells Nautical Trust and a further generous legacy from the Ken Thomson bequest fund, we are gratefully indebted to both funding sources.

Shoring up the shore defences

Over the past few weeks, we have been busy protecting ourselves and Longcraig from the potential of stormy seas which from time to time attempt to engulf the shoreline around our building. For many years now, we have successfully kept those storms at a safe distance, by installing and maintaining a defensive barrier along the boundary between the beach and the grass areas to the front of our building. These defences need some repairs from time to time, and this year we have carried out some areas of refurbishment.

These involve: large pieces of timber – we regularly find them washed up along the coastline and carefully retrieve the best of them.

Here’s a view of a section we’ve just repaired: (you can see how close to the waves it can get!)

Strong metal stakes to retain the timber in position – horizontally and vertically – so it doesn’t get washed out with the surge waves (this was why we were looking for things like old reinforcing bare earlier in the year:

Heavy thick soil to infill behind the timber

Turf or grassy vegetation to knit the soil together and spread a root system deep into the ground.

Strong netting attached to the outer faces of the timber, then over the grass and securely pegged down to limit erosion by the sea and to keep the grass in place until it establishes its root system.

Big thanks to everyone who has assisted with this over the past few weeks of settled autumn weather – just made it before the winter starts!

As always, we can still make good use of:

Heavy duty steel stakes (such as reinforcing bar)
Heavy duty pegs or pins (larger than tent pegs but same idea)
Topsoil
Grass or turf

Please just get in touch if you think you can help with any of these ingredients used in the baking of a strong shore defence!

Training Opportunities

Our training programme for 2024 has now completed, with the final course running last weekend – a Powerboat 2 course.

All the candidates on this course were members of the Longcraig ASU, their funding of the course fees was supported by the SHQ Development Fund for adult training which is available to all adult members undertaking relevant training courses. We are as always grateful to SHQ for supporting training activities like this throughout the year!

Here are the intrepid candidates last Sunday enjoying the Forth with just 4 degrees C around them!

Still in the diary in early 2025:

Paddleboard training /Assessment Day has now been arranged; this will be held as two One Day sessions over the weekend of 8/9 March 2025. The Assessor team from Lochgoilhead will be leading this event to support our own activities. The aim is to either assess for a permit or provide a suitable plan to each person to get one.

Beyond that, we can offer courses in:

Dinghy sailing

Kayaking

Powerboating

Raft Building

Marine VHF Radio

Which can lead to national qualifications if you wish to gain one of those, and/or to a Scouts Activity Permit which then enables you to lead activities with your own groups of young people.

Many aspects of seamanship such as: weather and meteorology; Tides and Currents: Basic navigation skills; knots, lashings and ropework.

We can also provide course for Badges for

Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Young leaders.

These can in some cases cover the entire syllabus of a particular badge, and in many cases can cover one or more elements of a wider scope badge.

There are many options in badges relating to water activities – there’s even one for ‘helping out at activity centres’ which may be of interest!

We strongly recommend having a discussion with us about what you might like to cover, how we can support that, and how best we can plan it in for next year – or even the year after!

For information on, or to register an interest in, any of these courses please contact us at getinvolved@longcraig.info

Volunteering?

As the demand for our activities grows and we constantly seek to expand what we can offer, we need more volunteers to help us implement our plans. We now have a super-duper warm up to date activity centre to welcome volunteers into!

We’re still happy to hear from any potential volunteers whether your interest is on the water or off the water supporting the Centre.

Just get in touch for a chat, or come along to one of our Volunteer Drop In Sessions

Saturday 14th December 1pm
Sunday 12th January 1pm

We’ll take care of the rest!

Do please let us know if you would like to come along to any of these sessions – getinvolved@longcraig.info

Do you have any parents in your Group who might be interested in this? Please do let them know!!

Longcraig Update – October 2024

21 Oct 2024

Ian Harrower

Longcraig Scout Centre

Looking forward to 2025

As 2024 draws to a close we appreciate that a small number of Groups were disappointed this year, due to having a few activity bookings cancelled as we did not have enough of the right kind of volunteers available on the day, or because the weather conditions were such that it was not safe to proceed.

Although our 2025 booking system doesn’t kick in until early next year, we’d like to give anyone affected by these disappointments the early bird first choice of an activity slot for next year ahead of time. If your Group falls into either of these categories please get in touch to discuss what options are available for you: please contact bookings@longcraig.info in the first instance and we’ll help you from there.

LONGCRAIG – NET ZERO – how it all works

Last month, we announced the fantastic news that the Net Zero project at Longcraig, installed earlier this year, had gone live and was producing enough electricity to enable the Centre to operate.

This month, as promised, we’ve got more detail about the systems we installed and how they all work. Read on!

Main objectives

The principal purpose of installing the renewables was twofold:

To present a ‘greener’ appearance to the Centre and how it operates
B) to reduce our annual bill for utilities (mainly electricity) following the exorbitant cost increases inflicted over the past couple of years.

This is how it all strings together –

Main power generation – Solar PV. The proposed panels were selected to combine a comfortable fit, without crowding, on the available roof space. Initial rough calculations estimated the roof could support around 16kW capacity, the supplier’s selected proposal settled at 15.84kW., based upon an installation of 36 panels each 440W. Generation capacity clearly follows both a daily predicted curve (assuming good sun conditions) and also seasonal variations which can be computed based upon location, roof angle, surrounding shade/shadow and other geographical factors.

Energy Storage:

Electrical energy – Batteries: we selected 4 x 5kWh batteries totalling 20kWh which closely emulates the 21kWh expected theoretical consumption. The batteries have a maximum linking capacity of 5, so we retained the option to fit one further one in the future.

Thermal energy – Hot water tank: power can be sent directly to the hot water exchange tank which contains around 300litres of water, which then transfers heat through coils to the domestic hot water outputs. Control of the energy applied to the tank is further enhanced by a Solar Boost unit which actively directs power when it is required or when there is surplus energy available.

Direct feed – the PV energy drives directly to any building consumption required during generation hours.

Heating – hot water:

As part of the facilities upgrade, the incoming water supply was separated as it entered the building. One pipe goes directly to the kitchen, the other serves the cold water tank and thence the toilets and hot water system.

The main hot water tank is described above, and supplies hot water on demand for showers, wash hand basins throughout the customer facilities.

A separate 30 litre hot water storage device was installed in the kitchen, adjacent to the sinks, which provides almost instant hot water on demand. Whilst not an integral part of the renewables project, this enhancement avoids the need for the kitchen taps to ‘waste’ hot water from the old tank location, amounting to some 30 metres of piping each time the tap is opened. Rough calculations indicate a saving of up to £350 a year based upon energy prices in 2022 through this element alone.

Space heating – customer facilities: This is provided by way of an Air to Air Heat Pump, one external pump unit providing heat to 5 separate outlets covering the two main changing rooms, two toilet and shower areas, and the staff facility. The pump unit can generate just under 11kW of heat output, and is powered by the PV generated electricity at a maximum rate of 2.8kW. (an efficiency factor of 3.92) Each of the 5 outlets can be independently controlled for: temperature; fan speed’ horizontal and vertical air flow direction. Heat up time from cold is around 10 – 15 minutes.

Space heating – other areas: Providing Heat Pump heating to the kitchen, workshop and two upstairs training rooms was not going to be possible without installing a complete second Heat Pump installation. Because of the much more sporadic nature of the heat demand of each of the four spaces, it was decided to adopt a much lower cost, but more fuel hungry when in use, installation of Infra Red Heat bars in each room. Once again, each is independently controllable for temperature, and they can be adjusted to optimise the heat output to the areas where people are most likely to benefit. These heaters are quick to heat up, only warm the people in the rooms, and don’t clutter the floors!

All of the heating is controllable by phone Apps, which can also set timers, over-rides, and instant adjustment through the WiFi within the Centre.

So, what’s the benefits?

Our shower areas and changing rooms are now warm! BUT, the warmth also helps dry them out, so they are much less damp and musty; the floors are easier to sweep out and when mopped they dry off in a short time.
There is plenty of hot water to service all our showers, and it doesn’t run out when the first 6 people have had their showers!
Better hot water supplies in our kitchen (for washing dishes!)
Controllable warmth in the two training/meeting rooms on the upper floor, replacing our very old oil filled radiators and an even olde portable gas heater.
We’ve yet to trial it fully, but we’ll have renewable power through the winter months which means we can provide heated spaces and hot water to support winter activities. More importantly, we hope that we will be able to keep the critical parts of the building free from frost so we don’t have to drain down the water.
Significantly reduced electricity bill especially during the summer months when there is longer daylight. Not quite Zero, but very close, and effectively Zero on most days unless it is really dull all day.

What did we have before?

In summary:

adequate power generation on the premises to fulfil our needs for hot water and for power to run the Centre.
Energy Storage so we can use the energy when we need it, not just when the sun is shining!
Much reduced overhead of electricity supplies, means more money available to support activities, training and operational needs.

None of this would have been possible without the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES).

We cannot Thank them enough.

https://localenergy.scot/funding/

Training Opportunities

VHF Marine Radio Course (one day) Saturday 9^th

This one day course leads to the RYA Short Range VHF Certificate, which is a requirement to operate a Maine Band radio used for communications at sea. These can be used for anything from large yachts, to dinghies, kayaks, even paddleboards and are now seen as just as important a safety measure as buoyancy aids or helmets. The course will be run entirely indoors. It’s also encouraged for anyone working with boats, whether at Longcraig or elsewhere.

Powerboat Level 2 Course (one weekend) 16^th to 17th November

This can be a follow up to a Powerboat 1 Course or it can be done directly. It is a necessary pre-qualification for anyone seeking to do the Safety Boat course (see above)

Paddleboard training /Assessment Day has now been arranged, this will be held as two One Day sessions over the weekend of 8/9 March 2025. The Assessor team from Lochgoilhead will be leading this event to support our own activities. The aim is to either assess for a permit or provide a suitable plan to each person to get one.

For information on, or to register an interest in, any of these courses please contact us at getinvolved@longcraig.info

Volunteering Opprtunities

As the demand for our activities grows and we constantly seek to expand what we are able to offer, we need more volunteers to help us implement our plans. We now have a super-duper warm up to date activity centre to welcome volunteers into!

Ther are two distinct types of volunteers that we can effectively make use of:

TYPE 1:

These volunteers are the people who make the centre operate. We have spaces for:

Skilled water activity people who could lead activities on the water;

Semi-skilled people who have some skills but we can help develop those to a level where they can lead activities;

People with some skills to lead our shore-based activities (for bad weather days or to expand the operations of the centre)

Volunteers who can help in a number of ways ‘behind the scenes’ – with e.g. finance, marketing, recruitment, maintenance, boat or building repairs

Please simply contact us at getinvolved@longcraig.info with your details.

We’ve set aside the following dates where we will hold an introduction session to welcome any potential new volunteers and explain further what wed o and how you can get involved:

Tuesday 12^th November 7pm

Saturday 14^th December 1pm

We’ll take care of the rest!

Do you have any parents in your Group who might be interested in this? Please do let them know!!

TYPE 2:

We can also offer a different type of volunteering, which is to provide an opportunity for groups of adults, scouts or explorers to come along during the ‘closed’ season and give us the benefit of your volunteering – this could be just for one event, or it could be – say – once a month for a period of time. This can count to a number of outcomes, such as DofE volunteering, various scout badges and awards, or simply to lend a hand for a few hours. Things you might get involved in could be checking of buoyancy aids, fixing boats, painting, and decorating some parts of the centre which were not impacted by the recent building improvements, beach protection work, or behind the scenes stuff like preparing our land activity kits.

If you’re interested, please get in touch to make arrangements or discuss further.

Official Opening of new Longcraig facilities upgrades

19 Oct 2024

Malcolm Leckie

Longcraig Lead

Longcraig Scout Centre: A New Era of Facilities and Sustainability

The Longcraig Scout Centre has entered a new chapter with the grand opening of its upgraded facilities on August 28th, 2024. This monumental project has set a new standard for the Centre, providing modern, accessible, and sustainable amenities that will serve generations of Scouts, leaders, and the wider community.

The event saw a fantastic turnout, with many key supporters, including Regional Trustees, ASU members, and representatives from various teams involved in the project. Special recognition goes to James Bowie, the factor from Dalmeny Estate, whose continued support and the positive relationship we have with Lady Rosebery allows the Region to provide young people with Skills for Life in a truly unique and breathtaking location. Hector Black, the architect behind the new designs from Covell Matthews, and the dedicated building team, firstly from Edinburgh Construction, then subsequently including Alan Smith and Michael Robertson from RW Bell and Sean Brown from Sean Brown Plumbing and Heating Ltd , who all made this vision a reality.

In the opening speech of the evening, John Cannon, Regional Chair, welcomed everyone to the official opening of the Centre and on behalf of the Trustees thanked the many people who were involved in the project. John also said, “together with the new amenity hub at Bonaly this project at Longcraig has been a significant financial investment from the Region and demonstrates the importance we place on our Centres in offering fantastic outdoor experiences for our young people now and into the future.”

Transforming Our Facilities

The new facilities are a game changer, not only for Longcraig, but the thousands of Young People who will enjoy the benefits for years to come. We have replaced outdated infrastructure with state-of-the-art amenities that cater to the needs of all our visitors. Key improvements include:

· Modern, Accessible Toilets and Changing Rooms: Designed to be warm, dry, and fully accessible, these new spaces are a significant upgrade from our previous offerings. The changing rooms feature flexible layouts, making them adaptable for individuals or groups, ensuring comfort for everyone who uses them.

· Enhanced Showers and Hot Water Supply: A major highlight of the upgrade is the improved shower facilities. Hot water is now available throughout the Centre, ensuring that even on the coldest days, our visitors can enjoy warm, reliable showers after a day of activity on the water.

· Sustainability-Focused Heating Systems: As part of our commitment to sustainability, the new facilities have been equipped with renewable energy-

powered heating systems. These systems not only help to optimise our energy consumption but also ensure that all areas of the Centre remain warm and comfortable, especially during the colder months.

· Accessible Layout and Design: Ensuring that all individuals, regardless of ability, can access the facilities was a priority. The design focuses on inclusivity and easy-to-navigate spaces to accommodate everyone.

These upgrades mean that Longcraig Scout Centre is now more equipped to support large groups, diverse events, and even year-round programs than ever before, ensuring our facilities are accessible, modern, and enjoyable for all users.

The Team Behind the Project

Such a large-scale transformation wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work and dedication of many individuals. Malcolm Leckie, the Centre Manager, and one of the project’s key leads, expressed deep gratitude to everyone involved, from Scouting volunteers to the professional teams who worked tirelessly on the design, build, and installation phases.

One of the standout contributors, among many, was Ian Harrower, whose determination and leadership helped to steer the project from concept to completion. His efforts behind the scenes—securing funding, organising teams, and overcoming the inevitable challenges, particularly during the COVID pandemic—have been vital. Ian’s quiet but steadfast leadership ensured that the project stayed on track, bringing this bold vision to life.

In the true Scouting spirit of co-operation, the Region’s fundraising team led by Janet Taylor included Peter Casebow, representing Bonaly, and Ian Harrower representing Longcraig, coordinated the fundraising efforts for the Bonaly Amenities Hub and the Facilities Upgrade at Longcraig, enabled the combined resources that helped secure the necessary funding for both projects. As a result, Sport Scotland were instrumental in making this project a reality with their generous financial support. Without their backing, along with the Region’s financial contributions, this endeavour would not have been possible.

Pushing the Boundaries of Sustainability

Sustainability has been a core focus of the project, ensuring that the Centre not only serves current generations but also helps protect the environment for future Scouts. The new facilities have incorporated several key renewable energy elements, reducing the Centre’s overall carbon footprint. Some of these include:

· Solar Power Generation: We have installed solar panels that now provide renewable energy to power much of the Centre’s operations. This has drastically

reduced our reliance on external energy sources and substantially lowered our overall electricity purchase costs.

· Eco-Friendly Heating Systems: By incorporating heat pumps and other energy-efficient solutions, we have optimised the heating provision in key areas of the Centre. This ensures warmth and comfort while keeping energy usage minimal.

· Water Conservation Initiatives: With the upgraded hot water supply, the Centre now uses water more efficiently, with measures in place to reduce waste and encourage conservation.

Those in attendance got to witness firsthand how these new sustainability initiatives are reshaping the Centre, setting it on a path toward Net Zero energy consumption. Not only do these updates help reduce our environmental impact, but they also improve the comfort and well-being of all who visit Longcraig.

80 Years of combined length of service Award

The opening event was topped off with Lead Volunteer for South East Scotland, Martin Elliot presenting not one, but two 40 years Length of Service Awards to two members of the Longcraig Active Support team Fraser and Fiona Simon. What a wonderful way to end the evening celebrations. Everyone at South East Scotland Scouts are so grateful for their tremendous support and dedication, not only to the centre but for their contribution to young people throughout the region.

Ready for the Future

With these remarkable upgrades in place, the Longcraig Scout Centre is ready to continue its mission of providing fun, training, and adventure for young people in the 21st century. The formal opening declaration of the new facilities was led by Ian Harrower, who had been closely involved from the earliest stages through to the completion of the project. His leadership, along with the efforts of so many dedicated individuals, has ensured that Longcraig is ready for the next chapter.

These new facilities, with their modern conveniences and eco-friendly innovations, represent a bright future for the Centre. We eagerly anticipate welcoming hundreds more Scouts and visitors in the coming years, knowing that Longcraig is better equipped than ever to offer them an unforgettable experience.

None of this would have been possible without The Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES). We cannot Thank them enough.

We invite you to come and see these wonderful improvements firsthand. We look forward to continuing this exciting journey with all of you at Longcraig Scout Centre

Thank you to our project partners

Longcraig update – September 2024

14 Sep 2024

Malcolm Leckie

Longcraig Lead

First it was PORPOISES – now DOLPHINS even WHALES

Having reported in June about porpoises which were sighted near to Longcraig, there has been an abundance of marine life over the summer.

A dolphin (now known as Donny the Dolphin) has been sighted numerous times around the bridges, and for Scouts from 1^st Craigalmond in Kirkliston, they enjoyed some 45 minutes with Donny the Dolphin playing around their sailing boat and around our safety boat, in the waters between Longcraig Pier and the Forth Bridge one Friday evening in August. Clearly keen to find some new young friends! It is believed there are possibly several of them swimming around the Firth of Forth, sightings have been reported from Cellardyke in Fife to Portobello near Edinburgh, and various locations around the bridges area.

There are also reports of sightings of a small whale (unknown variety) in the upper Firth of Forth at the end of August.

An image of a bottlenose dolphin
Photo courtesy of iNaturalist

2024 Summer Months – July, August, even into September……

Well, they said these are the summer months!

And this year, there were sunny summer days – just now and again; there were dull and dreary days, just now and then; but noticeably especially in August, there were days on end with strong winds and gales. Quite unseasonal, but very disappointing for some Groups who had made bookings for activities at Longcraig which had to be cancelled as it was too windy.

Why does ‘too windy’ mean we have to cancel some bookings? It’s all about Risk Assessments and therefore one of the things we have to do prior to every activity session on the water. ‘Too windy’ can mean different things for different age groups – what might be super good fun for competent sailors or paddlers can often be ‘just too scary’ for some of our younger sections, or for people who are not accustomed to being in boats, or perhaps in choppy water. And, sometimes, it depends a bit on what the tide is doing. Obviously, tide come in and tides go out (twice every day) but the effects of the tidal flows combined with wind strength and direction can sometimes mean that an activity has to be cancelled, where at other times similar conditions could have a different outcome. We try hard to predict a little bit in advance what the conditions are going to be for people, so we can advise on cancellations before people journey to Longcraig. We don’t cancel activities lightly, but we do take very careful consideration of the various risks that wind, tides, weather conditions, and even the experience of the participants create, and a consensus decision is reached to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all concerned – that’s Young People, Leaders, our own Instructors, even our boats and equipment – they can get damaged too if it’s too windy!

If your activity booking has had to be cancelled, we will always work with you to try and reschedule or find another suitable date!

Journey to Net Zero – COMPLETED

What is Net Zero?

The term net zero means achieving a balance between the carbon emitted into the atmosphere, and the carbon removed from it. This balance – or net zero – will happen when the amount of carbon we add to the atmosphere is no more than the amount removed. (source: Energy Saving Trust)

Latest update:

The final phase of our Net Zero journey was the installation of replacement heating in our two training rooms, using Infra red heaters which can be programmed, or controlled on the sport with remote controls. This is what they look like:

Training Opportunities

We are trying to make arrangements to run a Paddleboard training /Assessment Day some time soon! The Assessor has not yet managed to come up with a date for this training course, but for anyone interested in finding out more, please get in touch and give us your details so we can let you know as arrangements firm up: getinvolved @longcraig.info

Safety Boat Training Course (leads to RYA Safety Boat Certificate) 5^th and 6^th October – 2 days course. Pre-requisite for this course is Powerboat level 2 and a reasonable amount of logged hours driving powerboats in varying conditions.

Powerboat Level 2 Course (one weekend) 2^nd and 3^rd November

This can be a follow up to a Powerboat 1 Course or it can be done directly. It is a necessary pre-qualification for anyone seeking to do the Safety Boat course (see above)

VHF Marine Radio Course (one day) Saturday 9^th November.

For information on, or to register an interest in, any of these courses please contact us at getinvolved@longcraig.info

Volunteering?

Ther are two distinct types of volunteers that we can effectively make use of:

TYPE 1:

These volunteers are the people who make the centre operate. We have spaces for:

Skilled water activity people who could lead activities on the water;

Semi-skilled people who have some skills but we can help develop those to a level where they can lead activities;

People with some skills to lead our shore-based activities (for bad weather days or to expand the operations of the centre)

Volunteers who can help in a number of ways ‘behind the scenes’ – with e.g. finance, marketing, recruitment, maintenance, boat or building repairs

Please simply contact us at getinvolved@longcraig.info with your details.

We’ve set aside the following dates where we will hold an introduction session to welcome any potential new volunteers and explain further what wed o and how you can get involved:

Wednesday 4^th September 7pm

Monday 7^th October 7pm

We’ll take care of the rest!

Do you have any parents in your Group who might be interested in this? Please do let them know!!

TYPE 2 Volunteering:

If you’re interested, please get in touch to make arrangements or discuss further.

Edinburgh Gang Show update & PRIZE DRAW!

14 Sep 2024

Scott Walker

Gang Show Marketing Lead

Curtain up…light the lights!

Are you looking for an exciting programme night that gives your young people a great night out that supports other young people from our Region? Then book now for the Edinburgh Gang Show 2024!

This year’s show will take place at the Festival Theatre from Tuesday, 29 October, to Saturday 2 November. Over the next 8 weeks our talented cast will take part in weekly rehearsals, showing great commitment and enthusiasm as they learn their lines, practice dance moves and have great fun, all whilst developing Skills For Life. Put the dates in your programme now!

Appearing in the Main Gang this year are Scouts and Explorer Scouts from the following groups:

Braid: 25th, 44th, 75th Albatross ESU, Greenbank ESU, Meadows ESU, SMESU
Craigalmond: 10th, 16th, 21st, 23rd, 30th, 87th, 102nd, 150th, Douglas Brown ESU, Grace Allan ESU
East Lothian-Waggonway ESU
Edinburgh North East (7th, 11th, 104th)
Midlothian, 49th
Pentland: 19th, 108th, 51st, Bore Stane ESU, Edge ESU, Links ESU

We’ll let you know in the next newsletter all the Cub Scout Packs that are represented in the Junior Gang 2024!

Since 1960, hundreds of Scouts and Guides from across Edinburgh have enjoyed performing in the Edinburgh Gang Show. The event involves more than 250 young people onstage and is supported by more than 100 adult volunteers.

We hope you can be part of our audience, which consistently reaches upwards of 5,000 people each year. If you have been one of these audience members in the past, we hugely appreciate your support and hope to see you again for 2024.

If you have never been or have not seen the show for a long time, why not come along this year? For more information about our story, visit our website, Edinburgh Gang Show | We’ve Got A Lot To Be Thankful For!

This year’s event is an excellent opportunity for members of your group to see firsthand the excitement and the impact of the work that goes into the Gang Show, which may inspire them to be part of the team for next year.

We hope your Group will be able to support our cast by coming along to the Festival Theatre. Tickets are on sale now and can be bought directly from Capital Theatres. Group Discount: 1 free ticket for every 8 tickets purchased. Edinburgh Gang Show 2024 (capitaltheatres.com) Call 0131 529 6005 to reserve tickets and pay later.

See you at the Festival Theatre?

Edinburgh Gang Show 2024

Festival Theatre

Tue 29 Oct – Sat 2 Nov

Evenings 7pm | Sat Mat 2pm

Tickets from £15

0131 529 6000 (Groups 8+ 0131 529 6005)

Edinburgh Gang Show 2024 (capitaltheatres.com)

************************************

Enter a PRIZE DRAW to win an amazing prize if you bring your group or unit to the Edinburgh Gang Show 2024.

WHAT?

1^st Prize: £250 to use towards a booking at Bonaly Scout Centre or Longcraig Scout Centre.
2^nd Prize: £150 to use towards activities at Bonaly Scout Centre.
3^rd Prize: An hour, for a group of up to 5 people, at Longcraig Scout Centre power boating on the Forth. Instructor-led with the option for participants to drive.

HOW?

Bring a Group (8+) to Edinburgh Gang Show 2024 at the Festival Theatre. Edinburgh Gang Show 2024 (capitaltheatres.com)
Email edingangshow@hotmail.co.uk with details of the lead booker’s name, Group/section details, performance, contact number and email, and Capital Theatres Booking Reference.

WHEN?

Entries must be submitted by 5pm Saturday, November 2, 2024. An acknowledgement will be sent to all registered entries to confirm submission.
The draw will be made on Saturday, November 2^nd, after the final performance.

WHO?

Open to all sections/groups/units registered with South East Scotland Scouts and Girlguiding Edinburgh.

MORE INFO?

Winning groups will be notified week commencing 4 November 2024 by email with instructions on how to claim the prizes.
Booking with Bonaly or Longcraig must be used by 30^th September 2025.

Further information – Scott Walker – scott.walker@sesscouts.org.uk

Longcraig update – June 2024

24 Jun 2024

Malcolm Leckie

Longcraig Lead

Porpoises

After an absence of some 15 years or more, we had several sightings of porpoises near Longcraig over the first weekend in June. The first sighting was made by a very observant Gide Leader who was visiting along with a group of Brownies and guides, A short time after, one porpoise leapt straight out of the water, and a small school of them (at least two, possibly more) were sighted playing in the waves between our pier and Inchgarvie Island. It was a very gentle breeze and a calm sea, so they were easily spotted.

The following day, there were once again several limited sightings of them, although the sea was much more unsettled, and it was quite windy. It’s great to see these sea creatures back again – their presence is a good indication that the water in the Firth of Forth is fairly clean, so that’s always a good thing!

NOT at Longcraig, but this is what they would look like.
Photo courtesy of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation

We’ve reported the sightings to the Whale & Dolphin Trust so we should now appear as a dot on their sightings map of the waters around Scotland.

2024 Summer Months – July, August, even into September……

There are still plenty of opportunities to get some activity bookings at Longcraig in the summer months – especially for small or medium size groups. Check our bookings calendar on the website for up to the minute availability, or email us if you have some specific questions – bookings@longcraig.info.

We can offer taster sessions, badge training or assessments, or complete training courses for sailing certificates or paddling certificates.

Especially during the summer holiday months, Longcraig can sometimes be a good venue for a BBQ or a day out by the seaside, with all the things that entails. Check us out or get in touch to find out how we may be able to help you plan your event.

DID YOU KNOW? You can hire a lot of our equipment during the summer for your own activities (provided there is someone competent in charge) – such as kayaks, paddleboards, Topper and Pico dinghies and such like. We can even do just buoyancy aids or wetsuits if that’s what you need! Get in touch and see how we can help.

Journey to Net Zero

What is Net Zero?

Latest update

The final phase of our Journey to Net Zero is starting to fall into place. We had to apply to the electricity network provider (Scottish Power) for permission to install solar panels before we could even start! This permission was granted at the end of May, so our contractor is now preparing to gather the material together and arrange for installation. We are planning that this will be in early July – we have a relatively quiet spell then after a busy June, so they can get on with the work unhindered.

So, by some point a little later in July, our project should be complete!

We’ll provide a full report in the next Newsletter, showing this final phase, and also some details of the benefits what have been gained form this activity.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Leaders Day

Saturday 20th July

Calling all adult leaders and Members –

Did you ever wish you could get out on the water to do some activities but there wasn’t space?

Or – you didn’t really want to when your Young People were around??

Or – you’ve never really had or taken the opportunity?

Come down to longcraig and have a go at any of our activities – kayaking, paddleboarding, dinghy sailing (single, crewed or longboat), powerboats, even rafting.

We’ll have our whole kit available throughout the day (open form 11am through to 5pm to take best advantage of the tides) so you can get out on the water for a short try, a longer float about, or a good proper activity session for as long as we can all manage.

We’ll have the BBQ running throughout the day for some sustenance, and of course there’ll be tea, coffee and light refreshments available too.

Formal Opening/Dedication of the Facilities Upgrade and Net Zero

Wednesday 28th August

Training Opportunities

Paddleboard training /Assessment Day

We are planning to run a Paddleboard training /Assessment Day sometime during the summer. The date has not been fixed yet with the Assessors, but for anyone interested in finding out more, please get in touch and give us your details so we can let you know as arrangements firm up: getinvolved@longcraig.info

Safety Boat Training Course

Safety Boat Training Course (leads to RYA Safety Boat Certificate) 5^th and 6^th October – 2 days course. Pre-requisite for this course is Powerboat level 2 and a reasonable number of logged hours driving powerboats in varying conditions.

Powerboat Level 2 Course

Powerboat Level 2 Course (one weekend) planned for later in the year (October/November timescale)

This can be a follow up to a Powerboat 1 Course or it can be done directly. It is a necessary pre-qualification for anyone seeking to do the Safety Boat course (see above)

For information on, or to register an interest in, any of these courses please contact us at getinvolved@longcraig.info

Volunteering?

As the demand for our activities grows and we constantly seek to expand what we can offer, we need more volunteers to help us implement our plans.

Ther are two distinct types of volunteers that we can effectively make use of:

Type 1

These volunteers are the people who make the centre operate. We have spaces for:

Skilled water activity people who could lead activities on the water.
Semi-skilled people who have some skills, but we can help develop those to a level where they can lead activities.
People with some skills to lead our shore-based activities (for bad weather days or to expand the operations of the centre)
Volunteers who can help in a number of ways ‘behind the scenes’ – with e.g. finance, marketing, recruitment, maintenance, boat or building repairs.

Please simply contact us at getinvolved@longcraig.info with your details.

We’ve set aside the following dates where we will hold an introduction session to welcome any potential new volunteers and explain further what wed o and how you can get involved:

Saturday 6^th July 11am

Monday 19^th August 7pm

We’ll take care of the rest!

Do you have any parents in your Group who might be interested in this? Please do let them know!!

Type 2

This can count to a number of outcomes, such as DofE volunteering, various scout badges and awards, or simply to lend a hand for a few hours. Things you might get involved in could be checking of buoyancy aids, fixing boats, painting, and decorating some parts of the centre which were not impacted by the recent building improvements, beach protection work, or behind the scenes stuff like preparing our land activity kits.

If you’re interested, please get in touch to make arrangements or discuss further.

Whatever you have planned, have a great summer!

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Porpoises

2024 Summer Months – July, August, even into September……

Journey to Net Zero

What is Net Zero?

Latest update

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Leaders Day

Saturday 20th July

Formal Opening/Dedication of the Facilities Upgrade and Net Zero

Wednesday 28th August

Training Opportunities

Paddleboard training /Assessment Day

Safety Boat Training Course

Powerboat Level 2 Course

Volunteering?

Type 1

Type 2

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