Introduction
Hello, I'm Frances Anderson, County Commissioner, and I welcome you to Inverness County. I started with Girlguiding in Edinburgh as a 'fly on the wall' Unit Helper to see why my daughter loved Brownies so much. That was 27 years ago.
‘Retiring’ to Strathspey in 2000, I soon got back involved running Aviemore Brownies, then all at once found myself being District Commissioner and Pack Holiday Adviser. Quite a whirlwind and a completely different way of life from the big city of Edinburgh. Communication by email and teleconferencing has transformed the way we work, and although mileage may restrict some activities we know we live in a fantastic part of the world where guiding can offer the girls so many opportunities which will give them confidence in their adult lives, often away from this area.
Let me take you on a tour to see how widespread our Units are in this wild and beautiful county ...
About Us
Starting in Auldearn at the eastern boundary of our county, we travel west to Nairn (once a favoured Victorian health spa) and keep on the A96 passing through rich and fertile farm land (perhaps taking time to visit Cawdor and Brodie Castles) to Ardesier , Cawdor and the fine City of Inverness .
Now wave across to Beauly at the northern edge of our county boundary as we take the A82 down the northern shores of Loch Ness, past Glenurquhart finally arriving in Fort Augustus - time to watch yachts going through the Caledonian Canal. Another drive along the A87 takes us eventually to the rail terminus of Kyle of Lochalsh and we can wave northwards across Loch Kishorn to the magnificent mountain scenery around Lochcarron . Now it's over the bridge to Skye to Carbost , Uig , Dunvegan and Portree . Take time to admire the majestic Cuillins, enjoy the sunsets and perhaps a wee visit to Talisker Distillery in Carbost. A trip on the Calmac ferry from historic Armadale to Mallaig brings us back to the mainland and on to Arisaig - take a summer trip to the Isles of Rum, Eigg and Muck - then on east to Kilmallie and Fort William, perhaps camp in Glen Nevis and climb the Ben. Join the A86 and go east to Newtonmore , Kingussie , Aviemore and Grantown on Spey where even on a cloudy day the views can be wonderful as the colours become moody and atmospheric. Sometimes the sun shines and changes our world. A round trip of 450 miles in all, proving it is the most far-flung county in Scotland.
We are looking for...
Volunteers in our villages and towns to start Units and to help out with existing Units too. It's a good idea to get together with two or three friends, perhaps you have grown up children away from home - start being young again! Girlguiding is challenging, infectious and fun.
Quote from one of our volunteers:
"Being a former parent helper myself I would say Give it a go, come along and see what is being done within Guiding. The feel good factor is terrific as well as the friendships made. I really love it when I am able to join the girls on their activities, it's so much fun".
Click here to find out more more about volunteering...
Ambassadors
We have been particularly lucky in the Highlands with Ambassadors. Among our famous few are Susan Hampshire actress and star of Monarch of the Glen - some of the girls were invited to meet her on set and had a wonderful day. Susan said -
"I was delighted to meet the girls and look forward to spreading the word about Guiding locally".
Fergus Ewing MSP, Charles Kennedy MP, David Stewart MP and Nicky Marr of Moray Firth Radio are also Ambassadors as is Sandy Cumming, Chief Executive, Highland & Island Enterprise. He was quoted as saying -
"I am absolutely convinced that voluntary organisations like Girlguiding Scotland do make a real and lasting contribution towards vibrant and successful communities".
Successful women linked ot this area...
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Go to main inspirational women page
Contact
Public Relations/ Press contact: Maureen Anderson
Email: Please fill out the enquiry form
For an official information pack Email: Please fill out the enquiry form
If you encounter any problems making contact locally Email: Please fill out the enquiry form
Your interest in Girlguiding Scotland is greatly appreciated.