As a Girl Scout troop, we had taken a trip to Savannah to where Juliette Lowe founded the first USA Girl Scout Troop.
We had such a great time, that we decided to plan another trip.
We learned that Juliette Lowe actually started her very first 'troop' while staying in Scotland, so we decided to think big and plan a trip there.
There was little information to go by other then the following:
In the summer of 1911, Juliette. Low started a Girl Guide Company in Glen Lyon, a lonely valley in Scotland, where there were only seven girls to be mustered, and one of them had to walk six miles to the meeting.
The girls learned knots, the history of the flag, guide laws, knitting, cooking, first aid, map reading, and signaling. After the day’s activities, they always had a sumptuous tea. Tea and its rituals always were a great part of Girl Guiding.
... As time went on, we talked about the trip and then the troop dynamics changed so a troop trip was not going to happen.
However, in June 2008 three of us made the dream come true and headed off to Scotland.
At this point, it was no longer a Girl Scout trip but the spirit of Scouting remained with us.
I had contacted the Historical Society in Glen Lyon and they were excited to help us with our quest.
Imagine our surprise when they discovered the records
documenting Juliette's role in the history of Girl Guides in Scotland.
Click here for full 1910 document
We were unable to determine exactly which estate she was living in at the time...
It may well have been the Kenmore Farmhouse
that is still in use at the Scout's Meggernie Outdoor Center.
Or it may have been down the road
at the Meggernie Castle.
No matter where she lived, you couldn't help but picture a more perfect place to be a Girl Guide.
Glen Lyon (lion) is a remote valley accessible by a single track road that wanders along beside the Lyon River.
The road is shared with very few other vehicles, lots of sheep and some red squirrels.
For more information on Glen Lyon, click here.