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An urgent call has gone out for new volunteer Scout leaders in the Western Isles to cope with a lengthy waiting list of youngsters eager to join the movement.
A surge in young applicants means the Western Isles is one of the fastest growing location for new membership in the UK over the year says the Scouts Association.
More girls are also signing up for the adventure and to learn skills in abseiling, archery and kayaking.
The Scouts Association have been holding road shows In Stornoway and Tarbert in a bid to attract adult volunteers.
Terry O’Neill, of the organisation’s Scottish headquarters, was on Lewis seeking adult leaders to set up a troop at Uig as well as the recently established groups at Ness and South Lochs.
He explained many children in rural communities wanted to join the Scouts but were prevented by the lack of adult volunteers.
He said: “There’s been a huge explosion in the numbers of children joining making
Scouts the largest co-
“The Western Isles is one of the highest growth areas and join Lochabar, Argyll and Ross and Sutherland amongst the top ten.”
Western Isles Area Commissioner Ian Denny said: “We are desperate for adult leaders here so we can allow more children to take part.”
The biggest increase in member in Scotland is Argyll and Lochaber which also came joint third in the UK Districts’ table.
Western Isles and Ross and Sutherland also featured in the top ten districts for growth.
The 1st Culbokie (14th Ross and Sutherland) was listed as the top growing Group in the UK.
Scouting in Scotland membership stands at roughly 40,000 while the UK has now passed the half million mark this year.
Chief Commissioner Eleanor Lyall MBE said “We’re delighted that Scout Groups and Districts in rural areas in Scotland have achieved amongst the highest growth figures in the UK for Scouting.
“This reflects the dedication and commitment of our volunteers to making Scouting as widely available as possible to young people across the country.”
Scout groups seek new leaders 18/4/11
Finlay Emmott and Daniel Cameron try out abseiling