News and Blogs

Congratulations to the volunteers of the 3^rd Bo’ness Scout Group. As part of Volunteers Week, the leadership team attended the recent CVS Falkirk & District volunteering awards night. Nominated in four categories – Organisation of the Year, Green Award, Volunteer of the year (John MacInnes) and Lifetime Achievement Award (Wendy Hannah), they were runner-up in three but won the Green award.  This recognised their significant efforts in  supporting sustainable and environmental practices, creating a phenomenal impact on the community.  James Arkley, Group lead volunteer said, ‘So much happens in the background that no one sees, this is just one thing we’ve done to make the Scout Group what it is today. Thanks to every volunteer for making this possible’.

At the beginning of June, explorer scouts from the Altitude and Kinnaird Units travelled to Blackness beach as one of their last meetings for this session. However, even the wet weather couldn't dampen their spirits. As one of the explorers said, ‘It’s Scotland, after all so we are used to the rain!’  After playing some games on the beach, the explorers finished the evening with a barbeque.  As you can see from the photograph, they used their scouting skills and constructed a shelter so their food was kept dry, even if they were rather damp.  Nevertheless all had a good time.   

At one of their recent meetings, the beaver scout colony of the 2^nd Torwood Scout Group enjoyed an evening at the caving complex in the Barrwood.  Although there were a few apprehensive faces at the safety briefing beforehand, there was no stopping them once the gates were opened.  They really threw themselves into the activity and were soon navigating and exploring the underground system.  It was a real achievement for the Beavers and there were smiley, proud faces all round.  For more information on the 2^nd Torwood Scout group go to www.falkirkscouts.org.uk

For over 100 years, the Barrwood Campsite has been the place where local scouts have gone to learn and hone their camping and bushcraft skills. Today it enjoys over eight thousand visits each year. But there has been a major problem over the last few seasons.  The water supply to the wood has become more erratic to the extent it has become almost non-existent this season. The Trustees have embarked on an ambitious plan to sink a borehole to achieve a consistent supply. This is an expensive process and the Trust have opened a “gofundme” page. To donate visit: crowdfunder.co.uk/p/barrwood-scout-campsite-fresh-water-project.

The Beavers and Cubs of the 93^rd Braes Scout Group took part in the Big Paddle Clean-up 2025 at the end of May.  They chose to clean up the banks of the Union canal between the Lathallan Bridge and Muiravonside Church.  The Cub Scout section lead volunteer, Peter Curry, said, ‘the beavers and cubs did their best to bag as much litter as they could.  Credit, however, to the people who use the canal as there was not as much litter to be found as in previous years. The youngsters still enjoyed their paddle in the sun and will be out canoeing again soon’.