Scores of Scouts, Cubs and Beavers lined the decks of the historic RRS Discovery ship yesterday as they recreated history and declared a new Scouts Day in Dundee.
Fifty members of the 26th Dundee Scout Troop spent the first day of their school holidays on an exclusive visit to the ship to mark a moment in history 80 years ago.
At the same time, Dundee Heritage Trust - which runs RRS Discovery as a visitor attraction - announced 9th October as Scouts Day, when all Scouts from any region will receive free entry to the ship and accompanying exhibition at Discovery Point.
Eighty years ago Discovery was turned into a training ship for the Sea Scouts after sanctioning by King George VI. Following a term as a vessel of the Government of the Falkland Islands, she was moored in London where she underwent re-masting and painting for her new role. On October 9th 1937 the ship was lined with Sea Scouts as HRH the Duke of Kent accepted Discovery from Sir Herbert Henniker-Heaton, the Governor of the Falkland Islands.
Members of the 26th Dundee Scout Troop recreated the occasion on Monday 9th October 2017, lining the decks where Captain Robert Falcon Scott and his crew made history with their Antarctic expedition. Paul Jennings, executive director of Dundee Heritage Trust, marked the occasion by handing over a set of keys symbolising the Scouts' access to the ship. The Dundee troop was then given a VIP tour by Dundee Heritage Trust guides.
Discovery, built in Dundee, is held in high regard by the Dundee troop, which has adopted the ship as its group badge and as a name for one of its sections.
Drummond Cox, Group Scout Leader for the 26th Dundee Scout Troop, which has 150 members, said:
"We are honoured to be asked to recreate history with this visit to the ship. Discovery features prominently for us as a Scout troop. We've been hugely supportive of the ship since it returned home to Dundee, including naming our Senior section after the ship. We've adopted Discovery as our group badge and wear it on our necker."
Paul Jennings, Executive Director of Dundee Heritage Trust, said:
"The links between Discovery and the Scout movement are strong, particularly here in Dundee. After it was announced in 1937 that she would be gifted to the Scouts as a training ship, there was much work done in re-masting and painting her. Similarly, this year Discovery underwent another re-masting project, part of our current restoration project of the ship. So we know that the Scouts are familiar with all the preservation work that goes into maintaining such a national treasure. That's why I'm proud to declare 9th October Scouts Day, when any and all members of the Scout movement can visit our award-winning visitor attraction free of charge."
For more, visit www.rrsdiscovery.com
