THE SCOUT movement’s centenary celebrations have been made more than a little hollow for members of the Tayport group as their 75-year-old hall is unlikely to reopen.

The ageing wooden hut on Elizabeth Street is in urgent need of repair as many of the timbers are rotting.

Tayport scout hall committee chairman Ross Baillie said he was determined not to let the Scout movement die out in Tayport, but felt he was fighting a losing battle.

“The Tayport scouts disbanded last year because they couldn’t get a leader— however, numbers for the Beavers and Cubs are increasing, and when they graduate they won’t have a place to go.

“The committee has been trying for around two years to fund-raise but we still aren’t sure how much it will cost to repair because we can’t even afford to pay for a survey to be done.”

Dundee area scout commissioner Drummond Cox has offered the Tayport movement a lifeline.

The cubs and beavers who will be displaced if the Tayport hall closes have been invited to join the Dundee troop—although one of its premises in the city is also in desperate need of repair.

The Downfield scout hall on Strathmartine Road needs repairs to its roof, fire exits and kitchen if it is to continue as the home of three local troops.

Mr Cox said, “I can sympathise with the Tayport scouts’ problems.

“Things can fall down a lot if you don’t have the support of parents, and there can be a lot of bureaucracy involved in fund-raising.

“The Broughty Ferry scout hall project really took off in the last six years —but it took a total of 15 years and the sale of some land around the hall, to achieve.

“They are absolutely welcome to either cross the Tay Bridge temporarily or to permanently relocate.

“We would support them however we could rather than see them close,” he added

Anyone who thinks they can help with the Tayport Scouts’ appeal can contact Mr Baillie on 01382 552334.