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Past Times

Photos of Fife Cubs and Scouts having fun from the 1970s to present day

Our archive images show Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Venture Scouts in Fife and the fun, friendship and life-changing adventures they have enjoyed.
Graeme Strachan
1st Cupar Scouts washing an ambulance in February 1989. Image: DC Thomson.
1st Cupar Scouts washing an ambulance in February 1989. Image: DC Thomson.

Were you in the Scout Movement in Fife?

These images from the DC Thomson archive show Cubs and Scouts having fun and doing good deeds including lending a hand during Bob-a-Job week.

The Scout Movement was formed in 1907 and has provided young people across the world with the opportunity to learn new skills and build lifelong friendships.

Many ex-members will recall their promise to do their best and help other people.

Others may have memories of camping under canvas in the great outdoors.

Some of these photos have been unseen for years.

You may find yourself or someone you know in our nostalgic gallery.


1976

The Cubs get out for a look round the train at Lochty.
The Cubs get out for a look round the train at Lochty. Image: DC Thomson.

A group of Fife Cubs visiting the Lochty Private Railway by Anstruther.

For youngsters, many of whom had never been in any kind of train, this was indeed a memorable occasion in June 1976.

1978

James Russell and Lindsay Jack wash a car as part of their effort. Image: DC Thomson.

Scouts from the 12th Fife (East Neuk) were out seeking odd jobs from neighbours to boost funds in the national “Bob a Job Week” in March 1978.

James Russell (left) and Lindsay Jack were car washing in Anstruther.

1979

Cubs in their uniforms with the Mowgli Shield. Image: DC Thomson.

The 26th Fife (Viewfield) Cubs showing off the Mowgli Shield in May 1979.

The Mowgli Shield is Dunfermline District’s Cub competition.

Robert Baden-Powell liked the stories in The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling when he started the Scouting Movement and leaders took names from the characters.

1981

Cubs of the 3rd (Fife) Dunfermline Cubs in June 1981.
Cubs of the 3rd (Fife) Dunfermline Cubs in June 1981. Image: DC Thomson.

Cubs of the 3rd (Fife) Dunfermline Cubs who won the Mowgli Shield in June 1981.

Dunfermline has been inspiring generations of Scouts since 1908.

1986

Some of the Cubs are holding plates with cakes on them. Image: DC Thomson.

The 12th East Neuk Cubs (Cellardyke) had a surprise party to celebrate the 70th birthday of the Cub Movement in March 1986.

They were marking decades of fun, friendship and life changing adventures.

Scouting was extended to a younger audience in 1916.

1986

Scouts of the 40th Fife Troop (Touch) at Grandtully.
Scouts of the 40th Fife Troop (Touch) at Grandtully. Image: DC Thomson.

Scouts from the 40th Fife (Touch) group in Dunfermline in July 1986 were camping at the Grandtully campsite in Perthshire.

These Scouts were enjoying pancakes which were cooked on the campfire.

1986

40th Fife Troop (Touch) Scouts learning about the canoe. Image: DC Thomson.

The 40th Fife Scouts were learning how to canoe during the camp.

Barry Parwell, Scott Liddell, Alex Bell, Catherine Lees (Assistant Scout Leader) and Michael Clifton were pictured sitting on the canoe in July 1986.

1986

A group of Scouts standing next to an open fire in July 1986.
A group of Scouts standing next to an open fire in July 1986. Image: DC Thomson.

These Scouts from the 40th Fife were cooking up a storm during the camp.

Backwoods cooking is the art of cooking without using pots and pans.

1986

Major General Michael Walsh at camp in Grandtully in July 1986. Image: DC Thomson.

Major General Michael Walsh visited the 40th Fife (Touch) group during the camp.

Walsh was appointed Chief Scout from 1982 to 1988.

He had been a member of a Scout troop and had gained the King’s Scout Award.

1987

The 115th Fife Scouts spent a week camping in July 1987.
The 115th Fife Scouts spent a week camping in July 1987. Image: DC Thomson.

Boys of the 115th Fife Scouts from Kirkcaldy were cooking on an open stove in July 1987 during a camping trip to Croftgarrow farm in Highland Perthshire.

They were pictured with leaders Bill Green, Tom Braid and Ken Gilbert.

2001

Chief Scout George Purdie and dignitaries at the hall’s official opening. Image: DC Thomson.

Chief Scout George Purdie opened the new Cairneyhill Scout hall in 2001.

The 83rd Fife (Cairneyhill) Scout Group rolled out the red carpet.

The hall was built on land which was adjacent to Cairneyhill Primary School.

2002

Fife and Japanese Scouts under canvas in July 2002.
Fife and Japanese Scouts under canvas in July 2002. Image: DC Thomson.

The most famous event in the calendar is the World Scout Jamboree.

Scouts from Auchtermuchty, Cupar, Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy were pictured with their counterparts from Japan at the July 2002 event at Blair Atholl.

2002

Members of the Scouts and Beavers with the time capsule. Image: DC Thomson.

Beavers, Cubs and Scouts from Balmullo marked the Queen’s golden jubilee.

They buried a time capsule in the garden at the village hall in July 2002 which included Scouting memorabilia over the past 50 years.

2007

Scouts, Cubs and Beavers at Fordell Firs.
Scouts, Cubs and Beavers at Fordell Firs. Image: DC Thomson.

Scouts, Cubs and Beavers from the 66th Fife (Aberdour) group celebrated the 100th year of Scouting with a weekend camp at Fordell Firs in May 2007.

There were international celebrations to mark the centenary.

2007

Dunfermline and Dutch Scouts gather in 2007.
Dunfermline and Dutch Scouts gather in 2007. Image: Supplied.

Cubs, Scouts and Explorers from Dunfermline District hosted counterparts from the Netherlands at Fordell Firs activity centre in October 2007.

They were celebrating the 50th anniversary of Jamboree on the Air.

2009

Some of the Cubs and leaders taking part in the regatta. Image: DC Thomson.

Cubs from the 81st Fife (1st Broomhall) group were introduced to the raingutter regatta in March 2009 which is a traditional activity for the Boy Scouts of America.

The boat can only be propelled by blowing into the sail using a straw.

2010

Performers with the 15th Fife Cubs.
Performers with the 15th Fife Cubs. Image: DC Thomson.

Circus Starr performed two shows of circus skills, magic and comedy at Ardler Complex, Dundee, to raise funds for CHAS in February 2010.

Our picture shows the performers with the 15th Fife (Freuchie) Cubs.

2011

Ewan Penman and his fellow Cubs at Deep Sea World. Image: DC Thomson.

“You’re going to need a bigger boat…”

Ewan Penman from 11th Fife (Burntisland) Cubs won a national competition to name Deep Sea World’s latest shark in April 2011 and chose the name Scout.

He celebrated with his pals.

2011

Cupar Scouts in 2011.
Cupar Scouts in 2011. Image: Supplied.

Scouts from Cupar raised £600 for a trip to Belgium in May 2011.

They were given donations in return for helping to pack bags in Tesco.

2016

Jim Leishman cutting the anniversary cake. Image: Supplied.

Queen Anne High School was the setting for Dunfermline District Cub Scouts launching a year of celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of Cub Scouting.

Provost Jim Leishman was the honorary guest at the event in February 2016.

2016

The Scouting party from St Andrews in the Swiss Alps.
The Scouting party from St Andrews in the Swiss Alps. Image: Supplied.

Explorer Scouts, leaders and volunteers from 8th Fife (St Andrews) spent 10 days in Kandersteg in Switzerland in August 2016.

They camped in the grounds of Kandersteg International Scout Centre.

2017

Youngsters and leaders beside the minibus. Image: Supplied.

Youngsters of the 4th Fife (Cardenden) Scout Group spent a busy summer in 2017 after a fundraising drive paid to insure their minibus.

The group received £1,375 from the Co-op as part of a rewards scheme.

2017

Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and leaders. Image: DC Thomson.

Kirkcaldy MSP David Torrance alongside Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and fellow leaders from the 5th (Fife) Scout Group in September 2017.

Mr Torrance has been attached to the 5th since he was a Cub.

2018

Youngsters collect rubbish on Burntisland beach.
Youngsters collect rubbish on Burntisland beach. Image: DC Thomson.

Youngsters from the Kirkcaldy Beavers and 11th Fife (Burntisland) Scout Group were among those taking part in a beach clean in November 2018.

The event was supported by the Marine Conservation Society.

2019

Scouts with Councillor Ross Vettraino. Picture: George Mcluskie.

Dunfermline’s 44th Fife (St Leonards Church) Scout group and Kirkcaldy’s 5th Scout group joined Fife’s new recycling campaign in January 2019.

2024

Explorer Scouts get to work in 2024. Image: Supplied.

58th Fife (Glenrothes) South Parks Explorer Scouts planting a golden orchard in March 2024 to mark five decades of The Tree Council.

It is the final image in our Scouting gallery.

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