Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
“I visited the annual general meeting of the scouting movement in the North-east recently, which was quite an illuminating experience.
“They had in the room a wide range of projects. Some were outdoor projects to do with self-development, such as the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, for which people were working. Others were community-based projects in which the young people were learning to support people in their communities. I thought that it was a very good mix of projects indeed.
“I left very much enthused by what I had seen but there was clearly a lack of people who wanted to step forward and provide the administrative leadership that is necessary to make that infrastructure of grass roots volunteers work.”
“They had in the room a wide range of projects. Some were outdoor projects to do with self-development, such as the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, for which people were working. Others were community-based projects in which the young people were learning to support people in their communities. I thought that it was a very good mix of projects indeed.
“I left very much enthused by what I had seen but there was clearly a lack of people who wanted to step forward and provide the administrative leadership that is necessary to make that infrastructure of grass roots volunteers work.”
As well as the Scouts, Mr Stevenson also commended the Boys Brigade, and in particular the group in Buckie, which at 250 members is one of Scotland’s biggest.
The debate on Tuesday commended the work of YouthLink Scotland with young people across the country, reflected in their recent inspection report by Education Scotland.
