Paisley Sea Cadets

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Do More this Summer with Paisley Sea Cadets! Paisley Sea Cadets has been Part of the Community in Paisley for over 70 Years.

The first Sea Cadet unit was established in 1854 at Whitstable in Kent, created by communities wanting to give young people instruction on a naval theme. Traditionally old seafarers provided training while local businessmen funded the Unit Headquarters. The tradition of community based Sea Cadet Units continues today with 400 across the UK each with charitable status enabling them to raise funds to meet their running costs. All Units are members of the Sea Cadet Corps and are governed by the national charity MSSC - the Marine Society & Sea Cadets. Our parent Charity works partnership with the Royal Navy under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

Our core purpose is to celebrate Britain's maritime heritage and contribute to its future development by supporting young people as Sea Cadets. We Meet at our unit Headquarters twice a week where we carry out most of our training however there is rarely a weekend where our cadets are not out and about in the Community helping out or on training courses at District Training facilities.

⚓ Another amazing year on the water! 🌊A huge well done to our cadets who spent Sunday cleaning, dismantling and packing ...
11/10/2026

⚓ Another amazing year on the water! 🌊

A huge well done to our cadets who spent Sunday cleaning, dismantling and packing away our boating equipment for the winter. 🛶

Thank you to everyone who rolled up their sleeves and helped get everything ready for next season. Great teamwork and a fantastic end to another brilliant year of boating! 💙

⚓ Meet the Team: Lt Cdr Peter McDonaldNext in our National Cadets Week “Meet the Team” series is Lt Cdr Peter McDonald.P...
08/10/2026

⚓ Meet the Team: Lt Cdr Peter McDonald

Next in our National Cadets Week “Meet the Team” series is Lt Cdr Peter McDonald.

Peter joined Paisley Sea Cadets on 26 March 1976, aged just 11 years and 10 months, and has now been part of the unit for 50 years.

During that time, Sea Cadets has taken him all over Scotland, to Newcastle and as far as Cyprus. He has sailed aboard SS Uganda and TS Royalist, spent several years at HMS Caledonia teaching sailing, powerboating and seamanship, served as Commanding Officer of Paisley twice, and also as District Officer of Clyde South District.

But after five decades, it’s the people and friendships that still stand out.

Peter said:

“Some of the friendships I made through Sea Cadets have lasted for decades. I still have friends across Scotland, Newcastle, Ireland and Cornwall to this day.

Fifty years later, I’m still here, still involved and still living my best life.”

That probably says everything you need to know. 💙

⚓ Meet the Team: PO Aiden McCabeNext up in our National Cadets Week “Meet the Team” series is PO Aiden McCabe.Aiden join...
08/10/2026

⚓ Meet the Team: PO Aiden McCabe

Next up in our National Cadets Week “Meet the Team” series is PO Aiden McCabe.

Aiden joined Paisley Sea Cadets as a cadet in March 2022 and quickly threw himself into unit life, progressing through the Cadet Training Programme and getting involved in everything from rowing and powerboating to navigation, seamanship and marine engineering.

At 17, Aiden followed the Cadet to Volunteer Programme, helping prepare him for the move from cadet to adult volunteer.

He’s now been part of our staff team for more than a year. He initially supported our Junior Sea Cadets and now helps deliver the Cadet Training Programme, while continuing his own development towards becoming a Rowing Instructor.

One experience that particularly stands out for Aiden was his Royal Navy Experience Week at HMS Raleigh in 2024, which he describes as his proudest achievement as a cadet.

Asked why he continues to volunteer, Aiden said:

“I like helping to give young people the best start in life and the confidence to succeed in the future.”

From being a cadet himself just a few years ago, to now helping train and support the next generation coming through the unit. 💙

As National Cadets Week continues, today we’re turning the spotlight on the people behind the opportunities.Our adult vo...
08/10/2026

As National Cadets Week continues, today we’re turning the spotlight on the people behind the opportunities.

Our adult volunteers give their time, experience and energy to make everything we do possible, from boating and training to administration, events and simply being there for our cadets week after week.

So today, we’re going to introduce you to some of the team who make Paisley Sea Cadets happen.
And we’re starting with someone who has been part of the unit for almost 45 years.

⚓ Meet Lt Lesley McDonald

“My name is Lt Lesley McDonald, although I was previously known as Hunter, and there are still staff across Northern Area who call me that!

I joined cadets in 1981, when five of us started the GNTC at Paisley. Since then, I’ve worked my way through the ranks and held a number of roles, including First Lieutenant and Commanding Officer.

Over the years I’ve gained qualifications in rowing, sailing, powerboating and archery, to name just a few. I even met my husband through cadets, and when we got married we had a cadet guard of honour and piping party at our wedding.

I’ve also been a District and Area Recorder for around 40 years.

On 16 October 2026, I’ll have been part of Paisley for 45 years. I’m incredibly proud to still be here and still involved with the unit after all that time.”

📣 I WAS A CADET, NOW I AM…For National Cadets Week, we want to hear from former Paisley Sea Cadets.Since 1939, generatio...
07/10/2026

📣 I WAS A CADET, NOW I AM…

For National Cadets Week, we want to hear from former Paisley Sea Cadets.

Since 1939, generations of young people have passed through our unit. Some stayed involved with Sea Cadets. Others went into the Armed Forces, emergency services, engineering, education, business, public service, or something completely different.

But where did cadets take you?

Maybe it gave you confidence. Maybe you learned a skill you still use today. Maybe you made lifelong friends. Maybe it helped shape the career you eventually chose.

Complete the sentence:

👉 “I was a cadet, now I am…”

Drop your story in the comments and, if you have one, share an old cadet photo too. 📸

We’d love to show today’s cadets just how far a Sea Cadet journey can take you.

Yesterday we marked the start of National Cadets Week. Today, we’re celebrating something that has always been at the he...
06/10/2026

Yesterday we marked the start of National Cadets Week. Today, we’re celebrating something that has always been at the heart of Paisley Sea Cadets: our community. ⚓

The unit was formed in November 1939. More than 85 years later, we’re still giving young people opportunities to get involved, try something new and play an active part in the community around them.

From working with our emergency services and supporting local events, to fundraising, civic occasions and Remembrance, being a Sea Cadet is about much more than what happens on a parade night.

It’s about confidence. Opportunity. Service. Belonging.

Our Officer in Charge, SLt (SCC) Martin Miller RNR, said:

“One of the things I’m most proud of is that Paisley Sea Cadets has been part of this community since 1939. Generations of young people have come through the unit, and we’re still here giving young people opportunities, getting them involved in their community and launching them for life.

That connection with Paisley really matters to us, and I hope we’ll still be doing it for generations to come.”

A huge thank you to all the local organisations, services, businesses and individuals who continue to support our cadets and give them opportunities to learn, experience and get involved.

Today marks the start of the first ever National Cadets Week. Sea Cadets gives young people opportunities to build confi...
05/10/2026

Today marks the start of the first ever National Cadets Week.

Sea Cadets gives young people opportunities to build confidence, learn practical skills, work as part of a team and try things they might never otherwise get the chance to experience.

At Paisley, that can mean getting afloat, taking part in adventure activities, learning first aid, working with other organisations and developing leadership and responsibility along the way.

His Majesty The King has marked the inaugural National Cadets Week by recognising the contribution made by cadets and adult volunteers across the UK, and the role cadet organisations play in helping young people develop confidence, resilience and a sense of purpose.

Throughout this week, we’ll be sharing more of what our cadets get up to and the opportunities available through Sea Cadets.

🥞 Junior Cadets Get Cooking! 🥞Our Junior Cadets had a fantastic evening getting stuck into some pancake making under the...
11/09/2026

🥞 Junior Cadets Get Cooking! 🥞

Our Junior Cadets had a fantastic evening getting stuck into some pancake making under the expert instruction of LC Corrie! 👩‍🍳👨‍🍳

From mixing the batter to mastering the flip, there were plenty of smiles, a few impressive pancake skills and, of course, some very tasty results! 😋🥞

It was a great opportunity for our Junior Cadets to learn some new skills, work together and have a bit of fun along the way.

Well done everyone and a big thank you to LC Corrie for leading the session! ⚓️👏

Who knew Sea Cadets could produce such good pancakes? 😉🥞

A brilliant day out at the Ayr Festival of Flight ✈️⚓Our cadets had the chance to get involved in a huge range of activi...
05/09/2026

A brilliant day out at the Ayr Festival of Flight ✈️⚓

Our cadets had the chance to get involved in a huge range of activities, from STEM and virtual reality experiences to exploring Armed Forces displays and speaking with personnel about the different roles and careers available.

There was plenty to see, try and learn throughout the day, and it was great to see the cadets getting stuck in and making the most of every opportunity.

A big thank you to everyone who took the time to speak with them and make them feel so welcome.

A great afternoon on the Clyde today, with our cadets and volunteers delighted to support one of Renfrew’s oldest tradit...
28/08/2026

A great afternoon on the Clyde today, with our cadets and volunteers delighted to support one of Renfrew’s oldest traditions. ⚓🎣

Renfrew’s right to fish the River Clyde stretches back more than 600 years, to a charter granted by King Robert III in 1396, with the right later confirmed by Queen Anne in 1703.

The tradition continues today through the periodic casting of the nets by the Renfrewshire Provost, helping preserve a remarkable link between modern Renfrew and the town’s long history on the Clyde.

Thankfully the weather held out for us, and it was great to see so many local people, crews and organisations coming together on the river for the occasion.

For our cadets, it was a fantastic opportunity to spend some time on the water, put their boating skills into practice and, most importantly, play a small part in keeping a piece of local history alive.

Our thanks to Renfrewshire Council and everyone involved for allowing us to be part of the day. We were very grateful to be included. ⚓

Renfrew Town Sea Scout Group
Greenock and District Scouts
Seaforce Powerboats Glasgow, Scotland
Renfrewshire
Lowland Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Association
Mirren Marine Ltd

Address

Cardell Road
Paisley
PA29AF

Opening Hours

Tuesday 6:45pm - 9:15pm
Thursday 6:45pm - 9:15pm

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