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1st Nairnshire Scout Troop are scouting for a new HQ


By Donald Wilson

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ONE of the oldest Scout troops in the UK has announced it wants a new purpose-built facility to cope with the growing number of youngsters keen to take up scouting.

The 1st Nairnshire Scout Troop dates back to 1908 and was based for decades in a hut in the grounds of Millbank School which was demolished many years ago.

Area chairman of the troop, Stephan Walker, told members of Nairn West and Suburban Community Council that they have a waiting list for young people wanting to join but they cannot take on additional numbers without proper facilities including meeting rooms and storage for equipment.

Mr Walker said they had been able to continue some activities online during the Covid crisis and some outdoor activities were held at Halloween and Christmas observing all the social-distancing regulations.

Their members had also raised £4000 for Poppyscotland last year and received an award for their efforts.

“We want more opportunities for young people and we are asking you to help us,” he told the community council.

Mr Walker explained that at present they have 90 Cubs, Beavers and Scouts and they want to expand by creating a Venture Scout troop, Sea Scouts and an Air Scout section.

He said he understood that when the disused Sea Scouts hut was demolished at the harbour to make way for housing, there was an understanding that provision may be made elsewhere if the need arose.

“Before Covid hit we started down the road creating a new Cub troop in Ardersier, but that had to be put on hold, although there was great enthusiasm in the village,” Mr Walker said.

He remains confident this will happen.

“This is the first conversation we have had with potential stakeholders,” he continued.

“Nothing is ruled out and nothing is ruled in. We have looked at various sites including the Showfield, Maggot, Sandown and Morganti’s [a vacant site next to the Balmakeith Industrial Estate].”

The Scouts at present is run from Millbank and Beavers meet at the town’s community centre.

One of the founder members of the troop, Fred Knowles, went on to become Nairn Provost. He was an air gunner in World War I and a former Nairn County footballer.

“We believe we provide excellent opportunities for the young people of Nairn to grow and develop,” Mr Walker added.

But he said the organisation was constrained by not having its own facilities.

The Girl Guide movement is the sister organisation of the Scouts and Mr Walker said the various groups have been meeting in school halls, the community centre and Millbank.

“Because of school lettings we are not able to grow,” he said. “We are constricted by the size of the rooms and lack of space to store our camping equipment.

“We would like to get trailers to help with outdoor activities but have no place to store them.”

Since the demolition of the former hut at Millbank their equipment has been stored in an old detached toilet block but that had asbestos and vermin issues, he explained.

“Other scout troops in the Highlands have their own purpose-built facilities and we are seeking to carry out a feasibility study to find a site where we can have our own modern, fit-for-purpose facility to meet our current and future needs.

“Myself and my colleague Drew Davidson were grateful for the opportunity to address the community council and we received a very positive response. In the coming months we will be engaging with many other stakeholders and hope to gather support from within this community for this project.”


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