A Brownie unit has opened up in Speyside, Moray, making it the first Brownie group to open in the area for over a decade.

1^st Rothes Brownies was officially opened just after Easter 2024 and initially started off with 10 girls. Now the group is thriving with 12 and it is soon to welcome 2 further girls to its ranks.

Since it opened, girls in the unit have managed to fit a lot in, from learning about the Girlguiding Scotland Promise and attending the Girlguiding Moray fun day to planting sunflowers and taking part in outdoor activities.

This was made possible by the Friends of Girlguiding Scotland New Unit Grant, which enabled the unit to open in a location where it wouldn’t have otherwise.

Unit leader and district commissioner, Janet McDonald, said: “As we haven’t had Brownies in Speyside for over 10 years, there was a lot of interest especially since we had Rainbows in Aberlour but there was nowhere for them to go.

“As we meet in the local church hall there are more people finding out about us and we have been given an area of their wall to display things on.

“The funding enabled us to buy the girls books, badges and programme materials.

“The girls have thoroughly enjoyed their time in Brownies and it means we have a unit in Speyside for the Rainbows to move into.”

New and re-opening units can apply for the Friends of Girlguiding Scotland New Unit Grant of up to £250. This funding is available to help new units get started and covers essential items such as first aid kits, promise badges for leaders and girls, craft materials, sports equipment and guiding uniform.

Since the fund launched in March 2024, almost £6,000 has been awarded to 26 units. The new units supported by the fund have created 429 new girls’ spaces. To find out more about how you can benefit from the New Unit Grant, visit the grants, funding and projects page of the Girlguiding Scotland website.

You can read about how the fund has helped other units, including 1^st Halkirk Rangers, here.