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Celebrating The Positives Amidst The Challenges

Celebrating The Positives Amidst The Challenges

14 Sep 2025

Picture of Martin Elliot

Martin Elliot

Lead Volunteer for South East Scotland

South East Scotland and Scouts Scotland Volunteers at Gilwell Reunion

Welcome back to a new term of Scouting. I hope that you all managed to enjoy some well deserved downtime over the Summer and that you are excited for what the rest of the year has in store for Scouting in South East Scotland. 

I recognise that this year has presented several challenges for Scouting in the Region – with continued teething problems with the new membership system, the new Safety learning, the ongoing challenges of leader recruitment and retention and the growing challenge of meeting places all affecting the time that we can spend doing what we Scout for – to provide opportunities to young people across our Region and beyond. 

As Lead Volunteer I want to thank all of you for your continued support and the constructive and positive attitude that you taken to ensure that young people across the Region continue to enjoy the experiences that only Scouting can provide. 

It is because of this that we have so many positives to celebrate from 2025:

  • Our first Regional Gala was a great success with over 2000 people visiting Bonaly over the weekend and seeing many of the things that make South East Scotland Scouts so successful – in particular our amazing volunteers and young leaders. My thanks to Stewart Nicoll, Dave Siddle, Ross Nicoll and their team for the huge amount of work that went into the event. 
  • Our first Regional Explorer Belt to Norway has seen all the participants be awarded their belts at a recent joint event at Bonaly with Swedish Scouts doing their own expedition. Well done to Alex, Cliona, Greg and Scott and my thanks to the Regional Programme team – in particular Laura Haley, Colin Liddle and Allison Gamble for leading this.
Regional Explorer Belt Presentation
  • South East Explorer Expeditions (SEEE) continue to provide opportunities for young people to complete Expeditions towards their Top Awards. Thanks to David Newton, John Buchanan and the SEEE team for the considerable work that goes into supporting these opportunities. 
  • Our Region continues to grow! After amazing growth in membership at the 2025 census of 3%, we have continued to see sections start or restart. I was delighted to join the 9th Braid (George Watson’s College) Scout Group, which reopened its Scout Troop this month, for their AGM and present Commendation Awards to Chris, Ben and Jamie in recognition of the work that has gone into reopening the group. 
  • I was also delighted to join our newest Group the 7th Midlothian (Ehsan) group for a brilliant community day as they prepared to open their Scout Troop. With new Squirrel Dreys planned across the Region and at least 3 Beaver Colonies planning to reopen, it is incredible to see more young people getting to enjoy Scouting in South East Scotland. If you are thinking about new or reopened provision or are looking for help strengthening your existing sections please reach out to our Scouting Support Staff Nacho and Amy 
  • Our Regional Centres continue to thrive and welcome visitors from our Region and beyond. It was a privilege to be invited to join 100 Years of Bishopton Summer Camp at Bonaly Scout Centre for their opening ceremony and to have the opportunity to welcome them to South East Scotland.
    The Camp saw young people and volunteers connected to the Bishopton group come together with members of Austrian Scouting, which the group has a close connection to, to celebrate the group’s centenary. It was also great to have the opportunity to speak with Maximilian Müller, Bundesvorsitzender or Chair of Pfadfinder und Pfadfinderinnen Österreichs, to compare the challenges and successes our two organisations face.

I hope as we start the new term that you have the opportunity to reflect on the positives in your own Scouting and to celebrate them. We would love to hear your stories so reach out to communications@sesscouts.org.uk if you have a Scouting success story to share. 

Thanks for all that you do to support Scouting in our Region. 

Martin Elliot
Lead Volunteer
South East Scotland Scouts

Regional Family Gala

Regional Family Gala

7 Sep 2025

Regional Family Gala 2025 – What a Weekend!

On the 6th and 7th of September, nearly 2,000 young people, families and volunteers from across South East Scotland Scouts came together at Bonaly Scout Centre for an unforgettable two-day celebration of Scouting.

The Regional Family Gala 2025 was packed with adventure, laughter and energy from start to finish. With a huge range of activities on offer — including high ropes, archery, bushcraft, inflatables, grass sledging, laser tag, zip lines, escape rooms, crafts and the Gang Show — there was truly something for everyone.

Visitors were also treated to a tasty selection of food from our vendors, including Wanderers Kneaded Pizza, Lazeez Street Food, Argentinian Foodies, Scott from the Little Parlour, and of course the Scout-run tuck shed.

A Huge Team Effort

Events like this don’t happen by themselves. A massive thank you goes to:

  • The Bonaly Service Team, for keeping the site running smoothly
  • The Longcraig Team, for bringing their expertise and energy
  • The Gang Show cast and leaders, for their brilliant performance on Saturday
  • Representatives from the SEEE, Network and the Inclusion team who were running the information stands
  • Hellen and Robert who did a massive shift chasing up names and registration numbers, amending and changing tickets for attendees and then running the registration across the weekend.
  • The Army, both at Bonaly and at Redford Barracks, for their invaluable logistical support
  • Our Young Leaders and their leader team, who stepped up with enthusiasm
  • All of the adult leaders and volunteers who worked tirelessly to deliver the programme and support families throughout the weekend

And, above all, a very special thank you from the whole Region goes to Stewart, Ross, Dave, Fee and their team. Their planning, dedication and leadership over many months made the Gala possible — and their contribution cannot be overstated.

Fantastic Feedback

The feedback from families and participants has been nothing short of glowing:

“My two enjoyed all the activities and the food options were really good. We’d definitely get tickets again if the Scouts run something similar at Bonaly in the future.”

“Absolutely fabulous event today, well done to the organisers & all the volunteers who’ve worked so hard all day to make it such a success.”

“We had an amazing time! The kids want to go back tomorrow too!”

“Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic! And please pass on our thanks to everyone involved.”

Many families who thought they’d only stay for a couple of hours ended up spending the whole day — a true sign of the event’s success!

Looking Ahead

In closing the Gala, Regional Lead Volunteer Martin Elliot said:

“What we’ve achieved together has been nothing short of remarkable. The fantastic feedback we’ve received is a real testament to all of your efforts. It’s my aim to get us all together soon so we can properly acknowledge and celebrate your contribution.”

The Regional Family Gala 2025 has shown the very best of Scouting in South East Scotland: teamwork, adventure, and community spirit.

Thank you to everyone who played a part in making it such a success.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

1 Sep 2025

We are delighted to let you know that our Regional Annual General Meeting will take place virtually on Tuesday 30th September 2025 at 7pm.
To pre-register for the event please sign up using the link here https://sesscouts.org.uk/south-east-scotland-scouts-agm…/

 

Pre-registration is essential to confirm your attendance.
 
The Microsoft Teams link details will be shared w/c 22nd September with all pre-registered attendees.
 
Any apologies can be submitted to Amy Irvine, Regional Scouting Support Officer, amy.irvine@sesscouts.org.uk
 
You can download the AGM papers here: https://sesscouts.org.uk/south-east-scotland-scouts…/
South East Scotland Scouts Annual General Meeting 2025

South East Scotland Scouts Annual General Meeting 2025

1 Sep 2025

We are delighted to let you know that our Regional Annual General Meeting will take place virtually on Tuesday 30th September 2025 at 7pm.

To pre-register for the event please sign up using the below link. Pre-registration is essential to confirm your attendance.

The Microsoft Teams link details will be shared w/c 22nd September with all pre-registered attendees.

Any apologies can be submitted to Amy Irvine, Regional Scouting Support Officer, amy.irvine@sesscouts.org.uk 

You can download the AGM papers here:

We look forward to reviewing the achievements as a Region over the past year.

Best wishes
Martin Elliot
Lead Volunteer
South East Scotland Regional Scout Council

John Cannon
Regional Chair
South East Scotland Regional Scout Council

You must pre-register to attend the AGM. Thank you.

Pre-register to confirm your attendance
South East Explorer Expeditions (SEEE)

South East Explorer Expeditions (SEEE)

1 Sep 2025

At SEEE, we are now entering the last weeks of our main expedition season.  The process for Silver and Gold was:

  • Training at Bonaly in March
  • Online training and First Aid training
  • Practice expeditions in May/June – 3 Silvers and 3 Gold Hillwalking expeditions, and 1 Silver and 1 Gold Offroad Biking
  • Qualifying expeditions in August/September – 3 Silver and 3 Gold Hillwalking and 1 Silver and 1 Gold Offroad Biking

 

The Explorers (and six Networkers) have put in a lot of effort and have done very well so far.  Our excellent leaders have come up with two new routes in the Hills: Cairngorms and Aberfeldy.  There were also two new routes for Biking with Silver starting in the Borders and finishing in England, and the Gold a coast-to-coast route from Troon to Galloway.

 

The first group on the Cairngorms route, from near Aviemore via Linn of Dee to the Spittal of Glenshee, really enjoyed being out in some of Scotland’s wildest country, and coped well with thunderstorms on the first day and a heatwave later.  Their assessor commented that their campcraft skills were excellent, including ‘leave no trace’. This is what we would expect of Scouts, but it is still good to hear!

The Gold biking group followed a stunningly beautiful route over 200km with a mix of coastal, hill and forest trails culminating in a beach-side camp, with the assessor commenting that they were an exceptionally strong group with great teamwork, had great fun and demonstrated excellent group biking skills.

 

Canoeing followed its specialist training programme and had two Qualifying teams of Silvers on Loch Tay and two teams of Golds on Lough Erne in Northern Ireland.

 

However, we have an urgent need for more organisational 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 discuss.  Remember, this does not need to be someone with a particular role, and could be a good way to get to know the world of Scouting.

 

David Newton and John Buchanan for SEEE

Jacob Wood at the World Scout Moot

Jacob Wood at the World Scout Moot

29 Aug 2025

This summer, I had the amazing opportunity to attend the World Scout Moot held in Portugal as part of Path 87, as part of the UK Contingent. 

The Moot brought together thousands of Scouts and leaders from across the world for a week of adventure, friendship, and learning. Travelling on Path 87 gave me the chance to meet people from many different countries, share experiences, and take part in activities that challenged me in new ways – from outdoor adventures to cultural exchanges and discussions about Scouting’s impact on our communities.

Being part of the Moot was a truly unforgettable experience. It was inspiring to see how Scouting brings people together, no matter where they come from. I’ve returned home with new skills, memories, and friendships that will last a lifetime – and I’m excited to bring that energy back into my Scouting here.

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