News and Blogs

This week the members of the Stirling Gang Show, one of only six gang shows in Scotland, are taking to the stage at the MacRobert Centre.  Seventy members of the Scout Association are taking part in the main gang show and thirty youth members in the junior gang.  Although mainly consisting of Stirling District members, four members from Falkirk District join them with some members from Clackmannanshire and Perth & Kinross Districts.  John and Freya Wilson from the 3^rd Bo’ness group, Sophie Olivera from the 27^th Bonnybridge and Kirsten Harrower from Carron Valley Explorer Unit are all treading the boards for four nights.  Dare we say, ‘break a leg’, folks!        

Last week we read of the Antonine Explorers’ trip to Kandersteg. The trip was packed with new experiences with many learning how to ski for the first time. Douglas, one of the explorers said, “Visiting Kandersteg was a truly fantastic experience – the international aspect was amazing.  I don't think there was one day I went without laughing, every time becoming a treasured memory. I will be forever extremely grateful to the Leaders and my fellow Explorers for making the range of activities so memorable.  It was a truly fantastic experience. I had a brilliant time and can't wait to see what we do next! "

After a journey of 2 hours by plane and a 3-hour train ride through the beautiful mountains of the Swiss Alps a group of 15 Explorer Scouts and 5 leaders from Antonine Explorer Unit travelled to Kandersteg International Scout Centre in Switzerland over the festive period.  The photograph shows the explorers all set for a once in a lifetime adventure.  They met scouts from all over the world.  During an international evening, they bonded with new friends during a torch-lit trail walk and campfire and celebrated with them as they brought in 2025 in style.
It was an unforgettable trip for all involved!

The day after Storm Eowyn blew through, the youth members of the 1^st Falkirk Group and their parents met to view the unveiling of their amazing new camping kit, purchased at the end of 2024 with a grant of £7985. This equipment was funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and was granted by Falkirk Council Capital Equipment Grant.

Everyone was excited to see the new kit which will get plenty of use this year, and for many years to come. The group has just over 100 members and are supported by a great group of volunteers. They are now planning to start a new Cub Pack in February for boys and girls aged 8 to 10.

In June they are running a Family Camp and hope to see in excess of 150 people attending and taking part in activities such as climbing, caving, boating and much more.

Looking further ahead they are also planning a trip to the Swiss Alps in 2027!