AT the well-attended AGM of Clackmannanshire District Scout Council tribute was paid to Tom Mack, a long-serving and distinguished adult member of Scouting for 66 years, as he retired from his current post of group scout leader at Menstrie.

Roy Ramage, who was in the Scouts with Tom, led the tribute: "After Baden Powell wrote ‘Scouting for Boys’ in 1909 one of his friends, Major Crum, came to live at Gogar House in Blairlogie after he retired from the army.

"There he set up two of the first Scout Groups in Scotland, namely 1st Stirling and 1st Menstrie.

"In 1939 he found that the then Menstrie leader had been called up to serve in the war and so he invited some of the boys to his large garden to continue their scouting there. One of those small boys was a very young Tom Mack at the very start of his scouting life."

Tom attended the first World Scout Jamboree after the war, held in France in 1947 and was also at the first patrol Jamboree at Blair Atholl, an event still running today.

His love of the outdoors led to events such as the Ochils Challenge Hike and the formation of the Scout and Guide Skiing club.

The ski club travelled to Glenshee frequently and in those early days there were no uplifts and you had to carry your heavy wooden skis up the hill.

The Scouts also formed the first Ski Rescue service, which Tom was a founder member of.

Roy added: "Tom progressed through the Scouts and stayed on to become a leader, even finding time along the way to play football for Falkirk and Scotland. He was the prime mover in building the superb Scout Hall at Menstrie and served as district commissioner for several years before returning to his role in Menstrie.

"The award of the Silver Wolf, Scouting’s highest award, in 1990 and the MBE were richly deserved recognition of his outstanding service.”

On behalf of all the young people that Tom has nurtured over these years, Scouting Clackmannanshire says thank you.

Tom’s eldest daughter Lynzie, herself with many years of scouting experience, has taken on the role of group scout leader.