An old Angus hall with Royal roots is to be brought back into Scouting service after a new lease of life for the village troop.
The old Glamis hall was built in 1913 after the late Queen Mother sowed the seed of the idea with her father, the 14th Earl of Strathmore, whilst growing up at Glamis Castle.
It served the local Guides and Scouts for decades and underwent a major refurbishment almost 40 years ago.
But the years have taken their toll on the building, next to the village school, and with the 61st Angus Glamis Scout group now back up and running, the ambition is to fully refurbish the hall in time for its 110th anniversary to ensure it provides a base for generations to come.
North Angus Scouts district commissioner Ian Fleming said: “The hall has been lying empty for a number of years, but it has a long history and the very important association to the Queen Mother.
“She was in the Guides originally and was looking for a hall for the Glamis group, so she asked her father if there was somewhere on the Strathmore estate that one could be built.”
Mr Fleming added: “Structurally it is very good, but there was an extension added at the back and Storm Dennis collapsed it at the back, so it will require a bit of work.”
Under the wing of group Scout leader Laura Stevenson, the group is also digging into the history of the hall and has unearthed a photograph of the re-opening of the refurbished facility by Mary, now Dowager Countess of Strathmore, in 1982.
Mr Fleming added: “In north Angus we have seven Scout groups and some of the halls are better than others, so the intention at Glamis is to make it fully accessible as part of the district’s plan to offer Scouting for all
“While the hall is being renovated, the re-formed Scout group is using Eassie Hall and we are very keen to try and encourage more young people to join.
“The group is also desperate to recruit adult volunteers to help in the sections and be part of our committee, and we need help with the redevelopment from trades people and any donations such as building materials.
“The community has been absolutely fantastic already and Glamis Community Council are over the moon at the idea of this historic hall coming back into use again.”
During a serious fire on 16 September 1916 she helped rescue many of the contents of the castle, and continued to regularly visit Glamis throughout her life.
