New Year Honour for Scots Scouting personality

 It is the New Year so today as in past years I'm looking at just one person in Scouting who has made a huge difference over four anfd a bit decades.

Gillian Macdonald Caldwell was shocked to find she was awarded an MBE for ‘Services to Scouting’ in the 2023 New Years Honours list. Gillian started volunteering 45 years ago. She began volunteering with her local scout group in 1997 in Netherlee as a Cub Scout Leader. For over four decades, Gillian has supported scouting in and around Glasgow (as well as nationally) across a variety of different voluntary roles.

This included her  former role of Deputy Chief Commissioner of Scouts Scotland which she held from February 2019 to July 2022.

Speaking of her contribution to scouting in Scotland, Andrew Sharkey, Chief Commissioner of Scouts Scotland said: “Gillian has made a significant contribution to Scouting in Scotland and we are delighted that she has been recognised for her efforts with an MBE in the King’s New Year’s Honours List.

“Gillian has dedicated 45 years of service to helping young people develop important life skills through Scouting, both in Clyde Region and across Scotland. It is wonderful that her hard work and dedication have been recognised with this honour.”

Gillian remains actively involved with her local scout group in Crookfur, the 35th Glasgow, as the Group Scout Leader. Upon hearing the news of her award on Hogmanay, the group including representatives from all sections (Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers) made a surprise visit to her home to congratulate her. The Scout leader is supported in her endeavours by Karen Imrie, the Deputy Scout Leader.

The former headteacher was visited by members of the 35th Scout group to congratulate Gillian on her MBE

Gillian, a retired Head Teacher, said: “I suppose my first reaction was one of disbelief, but it is certainly a huge honour to be recognised in this way. It is also great recognition of Scouting and the commitment of so many volunteers.

“My volunteering is a mixture of working with both young people and adults, but every volunteer activity is ultimately about providing fun and adventure for young people and contributing to their skills and development. That’s why volunteering with Scouts is so varied and fulfilling - more adults should have a go!”

Through the Scouts Gillian has reached the lives of generations of young Glaswegians - and made a massive impact on their development as well as making the 35th Scout Group a recognisable team in the local community supporting projects and local initiatives.