Stirling Scout’s Hebridean fundraiser for Jamboree
A Stirling Scout is to walk through a chain of islands in the Outer Hebrides in the coming weeks to help fund a trip to the 25th World Scout Jamboree.
Sixteen-year-old Caitlin Patterson, will start the walk in Vatersay and finish at Berneray, taking in Barra, Eriskay, South Uist, Grimsay, Benbecula and North Uist.
It will take seven days with 10 to sixteen miles of walking per day.
The 25th World Scout Jamboree is taking place in August 2023 in Saemangeum, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea.
Caitlin’s brother Isaac (15) has also been selected to attend the event. They both attend Stirling High School.
Explorer Scout Caitlin said:“i never thought that I would be picked but when I heard that I had got a place, I was so excited.
“It is an amazing opportunity to visit another country and experience a different culture whilst meeting new friends and learning about other people’s experiences.
“After I was selected I immediately started coming up with ways to fundraise and so far have sold homebaking and sewed badges on for the local Scout Group at which I am a young leader.
“I love spending time outdoors and so thought that I could raise money doing something I enjoyed whilst challenging myself too”.
The Korea trip costs £4000 and each Scout is encouraged to raise money towards the cost themselves by fundraising.
Out of the Forth Region area, 36 Scouts between the ages of 12 and 16 have been selected.
Bagpiper Isaac has been busking in Stirling and Glasgow to fundraise for the trip.
The World Scout Jamboree is a gathering of 50,000 Scouts from 226 countries and territories which takes place in a different country every four years.
Caitlin added:“my plan is to walk from Vatersay, through Barra, Eriskay, South Uist, Grimsay, Benbecula, North Uist and Berneray.
“This will take seven days of walking between 10-16 miles per day. Over the eight nights I plan to wild camp with a few nights spent in campsites and hostels.
“I am an avid wild swimmer and so am also hoping to brave a few dips in the Atlantic ocean.
“A further final section, a shorter circular walk of Berneray, will be undertaken in October to complete the journey over the weekend of the virtual Kiltwalk 2022.”
To help Caitlin go to: https://virtual. thekiltwalk.co.uk/fundraising/ Scotlandsvirtualkiltwalk2022caitlinpatterson