Group History

1912

  • The 14th Midlothian Bonnyrigg Boy Scout Troop started meeting in a hut in old Broomieknowe
  • The Scoutmaster was Mr R. Horsburgh
  • The Scouts held a fundraising concert for the Miners strike fund
  • There was a Midlothian County Boy Scouts Rally at Polton House on Sat 20th July 1912 
    Henry Dundas County Commissioner for Midlothian Addressed the Rally
    More leaders were needed!

19151915camp.jpg

  • The 14th Scouts go and see Baden Powell at a rally in Edinburgh

“The only time I saw the Chief Scout in the flesh with my troop 14th Midlothian Boy Scouts, at that time our Scoutmaster was ‘young’ MacTaggart of well known Midlothian family”
James L Anderson (Scout)

  • Wolf Cubs were beginning!

1916

  • The Scouts move on to their current site at Eldindean Road
  • Wolf Cubs become an official part of the Association

1917

  • Senior Scouts introduced in the UK
  • The following year, Senior Scouts were renamed Rover Scouts

1929

  • 26th Midlothian (Lasswade) merges with the 14th Midlothian Bonnyrigg
  • Doug Smith joins the Group from the 26th Lasswade Group, as a Scout

1937

  • As part of a contingent of Midlothian Scouts, Tommy Hope from the 14th attends the 1937 World Jamboree in The Netherlands
  • This is the last World Jamboree that Baden Powell attends before his death

1939dougandrest.jpg

  • Doug Smith becomes Scoutmaster

1948

  • After Doug Smith returns from the war a fund is started. It’s purpose, to build a new hall

1966

  • 12 years on the hall fund meets it’s target
  • In November 1966, the 14th Midlothian Bonnyrigg Scout Group’s new hall is opened
  • The Chief Scout’s Advanced Party Report is published
  • Wolf Cubs are renamed Cub Scouts
  • Introduction of new Promise and Law

1967

  • Boy Scouts are renamed Scouts
  • The Boy Scout Association becomes The Scout Association
  • Changes in Uniform, Training following the Advanced Parties recommendations

1981

  • Beavers begin at the Scout Hall

1986

  • The 22nd Midlothian Lasswade closes and leaders and its members join the 14th Midlothian Bonnyrigg Scout Group
  • At this point the 14th had 2 Beaver Colonies, 3 Cub Packs, 3 Scout Troops and a Venture Unit

1994

  • Bonnyrigg Scouting Magazine Issue 1 is printed
  • Issue 16 the Millennium Issue was printed in 2000, that was the last issue
  • 15 Scouts and 6 Leaders visit Bonnyrigg from St Cyr L’Ecole, France in an exchange visit

1995hall1.jpg

  • The following year Scouts from the 14th Midlothian Bonnyrigg visit St Cyr L’Ecole in the return visit

1998

  • The Group launches its 1st Website. Its such a novelty then, that we get a front page story in the Midlothian Advertiser

1999

  • Doug Smith ‘The father of Scouting in Bonnyrigg’ dies aged 83. He had been an 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.

2002

  • Following a review of the Sections, The Scout Association closes Venture Scouts and introduces Explorer Scouts and Scout Network.

2008

  • Following a restructuring of Scottish Scouting. The Scout Group now is part of Midlothian District and SE Scotland Region.

2011

  • We double our membership in 2 years

2012

  • We Celebrate our Centenary.