West Region Scouts

21/10/2026

A visit from the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action

We were delighted to welcome Gillian Martin MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs, to Lapwing Lodge during Scotland's Climate Week.

The Cabinet Secretary chose her visit to mark the launch of the Scottish Government's new Public Engagement Strategy for Climate and Nature, which aims to give communities a bigger say in how Scotland responds to climate change and nature loss.

While she was here, she saw the improvements we've made to the centre with support from Community Led Local Development (CLLD) funding. Over the past few years, that funding has helped us invest in:

✅ Better insulation
✅ New windows and doors
✅ Solar panels
✅ Battery storage
✅ An EV charging point

The solar panels and battery have already made a real difference, cutting our electricity costs and freeing up money we can put back into the centre for the young people and groups who use it.

Speaking about the new strategy, the Cabinet Secretary said everyone has a part to play in tackling climate change and biodiversity loss, and that communities are central to finding the solutions that work best locally. We couldn't agree more, and we're proud to show what a community-run outdoor centre can do.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us on the day, and to the CLLD programme for making this work possible.

06/10/2026

There's still time to register for the West Region Powerboat Development Day on Sunday 25th October.

🕒 We expect to finish 2–3 hours after dark.

📝 Sign up here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/tUHZADZvEk

Don't miss out – get your name down!

West Region is organising a Powerboat Development Day on Sunday 25th October.

This is a great opportunity to develop your powerboat skills, build confidence on the water and spend the day learning alongside other volunteers from across West Region.

📅 Date: Sunday 25th October 2026
📍 Location: Rhu Marina or Inverkip Marina

We will be out on the water in rough weather and in the dark, 11am Sunday - 2am Monday. It will be a long day to give you the best experience and the opportunity for Night nav. Recommended for those who have previously completed RYA L2 Powerboat course.

💷 Cost: TBC – dependent on the number of people attending. (No more than £30 pp)

We are now asking those who would like to attend to sign up using this form - https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/tUHZADZvEk

The final location and cost will be confirmed once we have the numbers, and full details will then be sent to everyone who has signed up by email.

⏰ Sign-up deadline: Wednesday 7th October 2026 at 19:00
Places may be limited depending on the number of participants, so if you’re interested in developing your powerboat skills, get your name down!

28/09/2026

Join the Campstaff team at Lapwing Lodge.

You won't remember a summer spent scrolling, but you will remember campfires under the stars and friendships that last.

We're looking for Explorer Scouts aged 14–17 to join our campstaff team on the Gleniffer Braes.

Work towards activity permits in kayaking, canoeing, archery and tomahawk throwing. Make progress towards your Chief Scout's, DofE and King's Scout Awards, and build confidence and leadership along the way.

No experience needed, just a willingness to learn and help others. Training provided, with opportunities throughout the year.

Interested? Register by completing the form - https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/fjpfgHVVrM

22/09/2026

Last week, Regional Lead Volunteer Blair Ross visited 3rd Barrhead for a King's Scout Award presentation from Morvin, Hollie and Rhys, three of the Group's leaders and Network members. Blair was joined by Paisley & District Scouts Lead Volunteer Graham Reid, and newly appointed Youth Lead, Hazel Marsh.

As the final requirement of their award, Morvin, Hollie and Rhys shared their King Scout journey with the Scouts and Explorers, talking about the challenges, adventures and skills they gained along the way, and encouraging our younger members to aim for the top awards in Scouting.

While there, Blair also had the pleasure of investing two new Cubs into the 3rd Barrhead Pack.

Congratulations to Morvin, Hollie and Rhys, and thank you for inspiring the next generation of Scouts. 👏

20/09/2026

What a weekend!

Our Peru 2027 contingent has just completed another fantastic training weekend at Lapwing Lodge

Alongside getting to know each other better, building friendships and developing the teamwork we’ll need in Peru, we managed to get an incredible amount of work done.

Over the weekend, our young people and leaders completed the wood store, painted the outside of the Activity Hall, removed the remains of the old assault course and created a new walkway to the High Ropes course around the back of the hostel.

There was plenty of hard work, plenty of mud and plenty of laughter along the way! The bad weather couldn’t dampen the spirits.

These weekends are about much more than preparing kit and learning skills. They’re about becoming a team, working alongside one another, tackling challenges together and discovering what we can achieve when everyone plays their part.

A huge thank you to Lapwing Lodge for hosting us and keeping us busy!

Peru 2027 is getting closer and this weekend gave us another little taste of the adventure, teamwork and service that lies ahead.

20/09/2026

What a weekend!

Our Peru 2027 contingent has just completed another fantastic training weekend at Lapwing Lodge Outdoor Centre

Alongside getting to know each other better, building friendships and developing the teamwork we’ll need in Peru, we managed to get an incredible amount of work done.

Over the weekend, our young people and leaders completed the wood store, painted the outside of the Activity Hall, removed the remains of the old assault course and created a new walkway to the High Ropes course around the back of the hostel.

There was plenty of hard work, plenty of mud and plenty of laughter along the way! The bad weather couldn’t dampen the spirits.

These weekends are about much more than preparing kit and learning skills. They’re about becoming a team, working alongside one another, tackling challenges together and discovering what we can achieve when everyone plays their part.

A huge thank you to Lapwing Lodge for hosting us and keeping us busy!

Peru 2027 is getting closer and this weekend gave us another little taste of the adventure, teamwork and service that lies ahead.

09/09/2026

West Region is organising a Powerboat Development Day on Sunday 25th October.

This is a great opportunity to develop your powerboat skills, build confidence on the water and spend the day learning alongside other volunteers from across West Region.

📅 Date: Sunday 25th October 2026
📍 Location: Rhu Marina or Inverkip Marina

We will be out on the water in rough weather and in the dark, 11am Sunday - 2am Monday. It will be a long day to give you the best experience and the opportunity for Night nav. Recommended for those who have previously completed RYA L2 Powerboat course.

💷 Cost: TBC – dependent on the number of people attending. (No more than £30 pp)

We are now asking those who would like to attend to sign up using this form - https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/tUHZADZvEk

The final location and cost will be confirmed once we have the numbers, and full details will then be sent to everyone who has signed up by email.

⏰ Sign-up deadline: Wednesday 7th October 2026 at 19:00
Places may be limited depending on the number of participants, so if you’re interested in developing your powerboat skills, get your name down!

23/08/2026

🎭 Greenock Gang Show! 🎭

Today I had the pleasure of visiting the Greenock Gang Show rehearsals, and it was fantastic to see so much energy, enthusiasm and excitement in the room.

There’s something really special about the Gang Show! Bringing young people and volunteers together since 1948, building confidence, learning new skills and, most importantly, having fun along the way.

It was brilliant to see the hard work that’s already going into the show, and I can’t wait to see it all come together. A huge well done to everyone involved behind the scenes and on stage. 👏

As Kyle said ”one big team” and it couldn’t be any truer!

This is exactly what Scouting is all about — belonging, friendship, teamwork and creating memories that last a lifetime.

Keep up the fantastic work, Greenock Gangshow Greenock & District Scouts ! 🩵⚜️

21/08/2026

A quick update from our regional lead volunteer!

12/08/2026

We were extremely proud to have 54 participants at the Blair Atholl Jamborette (official)

This video shows how some of the participants feel about the camp and how it’s definitely a place to belong!