The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Scotland welcomes 1,000 Scouts
Scouts from around the world have gathered in Perthshire at a massive camp set up in the grounds of Blair Castle.
The Scottish hosts yesterday started welcoming more than 1,000 Scouts from 18 countries, including South Africa, Gibraltar, Brazil, Hong Kong and Russia, to the 33rd Blair Atholl International Jamborette. The camp has a 66 year history and is held every two years.
MORE THAN 1,000 scouts from around the world have gathered in Perthshire at a huge camp set up in the grounds of Blair Castle.
The Scottish hosts started welcoming contingents from 18 countries to the 33rd Blair Atholl International Jamborette yesterday.
The camp, which runs for two weeks over the July school holidays, has a 66-year history, as it is held every two years.
Staffed entirely by adult volunteers from Scotland and abroad, the event is seen as an opportunity for young people from different countries to meet and take part together in a range of adventurous and culturally diverse activities.
Scouts from every one of Scotland’s 56 Scout districts are attending Blair Atholl.
Activities this year include canyoning, 24-hour hikes, mountain and river-rescue training, Canadian-American craft work and an interactive refugee experience to highlight awareness of global development issues.
After the camp, 200 families across Scotland will welcome Scouts from visiting countries into their homes for up to five days’ cultural exchange living with their news friends in local communities.
Among those who have travelled to Scotland are 13 scouts from Iwate province in northern Japan, which was devastated by a tsunami last year.
They have been sponsored by Scouts in Fife who have raised nearly £10,000 towards helping them replace lost equipment and for them to attend the event.
Callum Farquhar, the Dunfermline-based Scout leader who headed up the fundraising effort for the Iwate Scout troop, said: “Blair Atholl is such a unique and enriching experience for both the scouts attending and the adult volunteers who make it possible.
“The spirit of international friendship and profound cultural exchange that takes place amongst the participants is inspiring to see.
“This year is particularly poignant for us as we are welcoming our friends from Japan who have bravely endured a devastating natural disaster.
“We are privileged to be in a position to help them, and know that ours is just a small demonstration of the worldwide family and support that scouting can offer.”
Andrew Sharkey, volunteer camp chief, said: “We are excited and proud to welcome our many international friends to Scotland again this year.
“The programme and activities that we have prepared showcase the best of Scottish culture, while also reflecting the diverse and interesting range of different cultures and countries we will be hosting. We have seen the positive difference that meeting and learning from others can have on young people, and are delighted to be able to offer such an outstanding and world-class opportunity for them here in Scotland.”
There is also a satellite camp held at the same time for slightly younger Scouts.