Members of the 113th Scouts in Rutherglen marked the Queen's recent platinum jubilee with a week of events.
And there was particular cause to celebrate for Scout leader Graeme Hamilton, who was invited to attend a Service of Thanksgiving for the Queen in London at St Paul's Cathedral.
Graeme, who was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours list, was delighted with his invitation and he joined 400 people who had been recognised for their contributions to their local communities, especially during the pandemic.
Graeme told Lanarkshire Live: “When you see these events on TV you think they are huge spectacles, but to take part, to walk up the steps to the west door of the cathedral and join in the televised service really is something else.
"Our scout group here in Burnside is celebrating 113 years of existence this year; to combine that with 70 years’ service by her Majesty, the Queen, and offer an outstanding week of fun, laughter, skills development for all our young members, and growing friendship with each other really has made it a week to remember."
All the sections of the 113th Scouts who meet in the hall in Crawfurd Road took part in a range of different activities and parties.
The squirrels, the newest and youngest section, made an afternoon tea for their parents before heading up to Calderglen Park for a dash through the zoo and some activity time in the play park.
Squirrel leader, Michelle Mackenzie said: "They had a ball, and it was great to see the youngsters taking pride in making sandwiches and setting the table for their parents- truly skills for life from an early age."
The scout group has two Beaver colonies, which meet on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and both ran similar evenings, with the youngsters designing crowns and making flags, investing some new Beavers and then having a lovely party in the hall decorated with bunting and flags, including the chance to “toast” marshmallows at their Jubilee camp fire.
The Cubs were a little more adventurous, opting to set up barbeques in the sunshine and to organise some outdoor sports and games.
Cub Leader, Joe Robertson, explained: "The sun was shining and we decided to take advantage by spending all evening outdoors. Cubs love cooking and making their own meals, and here, they can do so safely, with support and supervision."
The older Scouts and Explorers groups set off in the sunshine on the Friday evening for an overnight bivouac under the stars near Auldhouse.
"Taking nothing more than some food and bivi-bags for shelter, the scouts put all their bushcraft, survival and fire-lighting skills to good effect and added another night away from home to their total, which fortunately has been increasing again since Covid restrictions were lifted."
For more details on the Scouts visit here.
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