Cub Scout in Scottish record as he amasses an armful of 63 badges

Cub Scout Gregor Kennedy has notched up a record 63 badges and barely has any room left on his uniform.

His remarkable achievement has been recognised by British astronaut Major Tim Peake, a former cub and now Scout Ambassador.

Gregor’s long list of activity badges includes Air Activities, Digital Citizen, Musician, Paddle Sports, Animal Carer, Astronomer, Disability Awareness, Equestrian, Home help, Pioneer, Skater and World Faiths.

Gregor, ten, set himself a personal challenge of gaining more than 50 badges in under three years at the 2nd Kirriemuir Scout Group, Fife.

His uniform is now adorned with 54 activity badges, plus eight challenge badges (the Chief Scout Silver Award) and the Thistle Award for Scottish culture.

No Cub has ever achieved so may badges. The Thistle is a recent introduction from 2016 and the Gardener activity badge was only added in January. Scout Scotland say they know of no other cub who has a full set.

His commitment has been praised by the Scottish Cubs Commissioner, and a social media posting by Gregor’s father Scott outlining his son’s remarkable achievement was “liked” by Major Peake.

Gregor can now do DIY, light a fire, rollerblade, identify different constellations and much more.

While learning to rollerblade proved to be one of the trickiest, his favourite badge was the equestrian.

Gregor said: “I got to ride a horse, I love it. I learned so much about horses and how to take care of them.”

Cubs Commissioner Robert Anderson said: “This is truly an amazing accomplishment by Gregor, I cannot remember the last time this was achieved by a Cub in Scotland.

“Each week at Scouts Scotland we give almost 40,000 young people the opportunity to enjoy fun and adventure while developing the skills they need to succeed.

“Gregor has achieved so many of these skills already. He should be really proud of himself, as his family, Scouts Scotland and I are of Gregor”.

Gregor’s mother Emma is assistant Cub Scout leader, his father is treasurer and his seven-year-old twin brothers, Fraser and Struan, attend Beavers.

His mother said: “He was quite determined. He is absolutely thrilled.

“When I was putting on his last badge it was strange not having another one waiting to be done.

“Everybody has been so enthusiastic and have helped inspire and encourage him.”

0 Armed with skills: Record-breaking Cub Scout Gregor Kennedy