Martin Elliot
Lead Volunteer for South East Scotland
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.
- 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