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Sheena MacDonald - Journalist and Broadcaster
Sheena is a respected Broadcaster & Journalist. Brought up in Edinburgh, she was a Brownie and a Queen's Guide."Developing confidence and independent-mindedness are the most important skills to develop."
What I love most about being in Scotland is the friendship of the people - and the wonderful light which makes watching the extraordinary landscapes of the country better than any television.
I would include two CDs - one of traditional music and one of contemporary songs; a book of photographs by Patricia MacDonald and Colin Baxter; some midge-repellent; and a shrink-wrapped Haggis.
I decided to become a journalist because I was interested in how the world works and how its
citizens behave. My advice to young female journalists is - prepare!
Always try and do as much background research as possible on what you're reporting before you
ask questions or make statements. Interviewees are more likely to answer your questions if they
feel that you know something about what you and they are talking about.
If I could do an exclusive interview with one living person, I would choose Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia. He has a mixed reputation, but not much has been recorded of his views.
I would like to know more about his commitment to world peace, the rights and responsibilities of the individual and Russia's responsibilities in a quickly-changing world.
I learned such a lot from Guiding, enough to eventually be awarded a Queen's Guide Award - for
instance, how to stalk and how to light a campfire.
Because I was a Patrol-leader (I was a Sprite then a Pixie in the Brownies, and a Thrush and
finally a Kingfisher PL in the Guides), I learned leadership skills which were useful for my
later professional life. Above all, I learned how to respect other people.
My favourite memories of Guiding are of numerous camping experiences, both under canvas (which was another learned life-skill) and in a converted stable-block - where we found a bat! We learned how to read maps and went on long 'yomps' through the countryside, and experienced every kind of weather!
Young women have to develop so many skills, many of them honed and enhanced during Guiding. I guess developing confidence and independent-mindedness are important to me.
Some years ago, I survived a very serious injury. I was supported through my recovery by a few very good friends and a loving family - and, I suppose, natural grit! I'm now the same person but with an even greater appreciation for the wonders of life.
What I am most grateful for is every new morning.
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