The Centenary Of the Scout Group

After Baden Powell’s experimental camp at Brownsea Island in 1907 and the publication of Scouting for Boys written by Baden Powell, it wasn’t long before Scouting spread across the UK and then the world.

Away back in 1912 in a hut in Old Broomieknowe, the 14th Midlothian Bonnyrigg Boy Scouts, began meeting. Bonnyrigg was a very different place then. Bonnyrigg was much smaller than Lasswade. Meetings were lead by Scoutmaster Mr R. Horsburgh.

Highlighted by the fact that Lasswade at one point had 2 Scout Groups, The 22nd Midlothian and the 26th Midlothian, both of which subsequently merged with the 14th.
Activities for young people, were non-existent, so it’s little surprise that Scouts took off in the amazing manner it did.

Doug Smith was a significant figure in the Scout Group, known as 'The father of Scouting in Bonnyrigg', he joined the Group as a Scout in 1929, when the 26th Lasswade, merged with the 14th. Doug spearheaded the campaign to build a new Scout Hall after the 2nd World War, which was completed in 1966.

In 1999 Doug passed away,aged 83 having held the roles of Assistant Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Group Scout Leader, Group Treasurer and District Commissioner (Southern Midlothian). He was a holder of the Medal of Merit, Long Service Decoration, Silver Acorn and received the bar to the Silver Acorn. A plaque is erected in the hall, highlighting his contribution.

Further information on the history of the Scout Group is available here.