14/04/2026
Bill Shand
Anyone who has been involved in Scouting in Kemnay since 1958 will likely have known Bill Shand. That was the year he began his role as an Assistant Scout Leader — a position he held for an incredible 48 years, until 2006.
For the following 13 years, Bill continued to help weekly with the Scouts as a Troop Helper. In recognition of his dedication, he was honoured within Scouting for completing 60 years of adult service. Before becoming a leader, Bill had also been a Cub and Scout in the 1st Kemnay Scout Group and later met with the Garioch District Rover Crew.
Bill was a leader who trained Scouts in many skills over the years. He also served as Troop Treasurer, ensuring annual and camp fees were always organised and paid. While training Scouts, Bill was noticed by all. And good fun to be around. However, it was the work behind the scenes that many adults knew him best for — particularly his role as the Group Quartermaster. Bill looked after all the Group’s equipment, arranging repairs when needed and ensuring everything was ready for use.
He was the first person at the hall for weekly Scout meetings, making sure the heating was on and the floor swept. A few times each year he would even bring his own hoover from home to give the place a proper clean.
The 1st Kemnay Scout Group is extremely grateful for — and indebted to — Bill for everything he did for Scouting, both locally in Kemnay and within the wider Scouting community.
Scouting was not Bill’s only interest. In earlier years he was a member of the Garioch Hill Climbing Club, played competitive table tennis, and served on the committee of the Aberdeen Mountain Rescue Team. More recently, he was a member of the gardening club, a Church Elder, and a talented photographer, while continuing to take a keen interest in Scouting. Bill loved to travel and enjoyed holidays across the UK and Europe, as well as trips to Israel and the United States.
After breaking his pelvis, Bill was less able to get out and about, but he kept himself busy at home reading and watching a wide variety of sports on television — especially rugby.
After a lifetime of service to others, Bill passed away peacefully on Thursday 26 March.
His funeral will take place on Saturday 18 April at 10:30am at the Church on Fraser Place, Kemnay.
A life well lived.
