GIRLGUIDES in the Wee County did not let the coronavirus lockdown ruin plans to celebrate their 100th birthday at the weekend.

Members of Girlguiding Clackmannanshire were planning to enjoy two days of exciting activities at Lendrick Muir this summer to mark the milestone for the organisation.

However, the restrictions brought about by Covid-19 put the ideas on hold.

That did not stop nearly 100 girls and their leaders as they decided to arrange a virtual sleepover with activities, marshmallow toasting and campfire singing before a night in the tent or den at home.

They created blanket forts and pitched tents in gardens or indoors with brothers and sisters joining in too.

Tricia Davenport, organiser, said: "It wasn't quite the centenary celebration we had planned, but it was a really enjoyable sleepover, with a chance to come together with the guiding community and share fun with friends.

"And we've still got Lendrick Muir to look forward to."

Activities included a garden challenge devised by Alloa leader Elizabeth Sinclair, with worm-charming, mini greenhouses and a grow-your-own jungle.

In the evening, everyone joined together on Zoom for a quiz written by county commissioners Pamela Grivell and Fiona Anderson, before a virtual campfire with singing led by Dollar leaders Patricia Allison, Avril Murray and Sarah-Jane Burns.

Following a good night's sleep in their dens and tents, the girls and leaders treated their families to breakfast with homemade pancakes on Sunday morning.

Samantha Johnson, an eight-year-old Brownie, added: "I liked making the den, having marshmallows and then telling spooky stories with my little sister Clare."

Lara Convery, a five-year-old Rainbow, said: "The sleepover was so fun because we got to stay up late toasting marshmallows and sleep in our sleeping bags."

Where a campfire was not possible, many created pretend ones from wood and coloured paper.

Parent Katy Gunnion said: "Our kids had such a fantastic time and many great memories were made – from the indoor tent building and Zoom campfire sing-along to toasting marshmallows and baking pancakes for breakfast the next day."