Scouting in Scotland - History of Scouting in Scotland

History of Scouting in Scotland

The 1st Glasgow Scout Group has a claim to be the first Scout Troop, as it holds a registration certificate dated 26 January 1908. No other Scout troop has documentation that pre-dates this.

The 24th Glasgow Scout Group's published history has it forming January 1908, although this is not currently recognised by The Scout Association. The 3rd Glasgow (Waverley) Scout Group are also listed as one of the first Groups to have started in 1908.

Oral tradition (at least as of 1976) was that the 12th Glasgow (1st Lenzie) troop was the first troop outside central Glasgow. The story told by leaders in the mid-70's was that the 12th Glasgow was the second formed but had to take the number 12th as the first 11 numbers were reserved for city troops. The group's own website gives a starting date of May 1908.

It is acknowledged by Scout Headquarters in Gillwell that many Groups were meeting as early as 1907 although registration did not begin until 1908. The 10th Craigalmond Scout Group in Edinburgh (formerly 10th Midlothian and 10th Haymarket) was, for example, meeting in late 1907 and there are a number of other Groups still existing to this day who formed immediately following reports of the camp on Brownsea Island. Until 1919 registration was undertaken by local associations and not centrally.

Mr. Jack Stewart, a former International Commissioner for Scotland, founded the Blair Atholl International Jamborette in 1946. It has been held every two years since that date, with representatives of more than 50 countries attending.

The centenary of Scouting was marked by a debate and reception in the Scottish Parliament initiated by member of the Scottish Parliament, Robert Brown, in December 2007.