Caithness youngsters to take part in Boys Brigade 140th anniversary celebrations, backed by King Charles
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Caithness is set to take part in a major event to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the Boys' Brigade.
A baton, which was presented by King Charles at the Braemar Gathering last September, has been passed on to various areas as part of a North of Scotland relay.
It is due to be handed over to the 1st Thurso Company at Inverness airport on Sunday before travelling around the county next week.
Johanna Geddes of the 1st Thurso Company said: "The baton will travel to Caithness where it will be taken round the county from April 15. There will be handover ceremonies throughout the county and then on Saturday (April 20) there will be a ceremony at Thurso railway station at 10.55am when one of our young lads will come in on the train and hand the baton to Viscount Thurso, who will also unveil a painting that will stay permanently at the station."
She added: "We then head to Pennyland House – the birth place of the founder of the BB, Sir William Smith – where the baton gets handed over to an officer from Orkney. After a short ceremony we head to the Boys' Brigade hall in Thurso for refreshments.”
By the end of its journey, the baton will have travelled to all Boys’ Brigade companies in Highland, Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Buchan, Moray, Orkney, Shetland, and the Western Isles. In total, it will visit 50 companies, taken mostly by foot but also by boat and air. It will also visit community centres and landmarks.
The baton contains a message from the king, which is read out to every BB Company visited. His Majesty passes on his "warmest congratulations" on the 140th anniversary which he describes as "a remarkable milestone". He says the organisation provides "valuable opportunities to young people”.
The baton was last used in 1983 to celebrate the BB’s centenary.
The Boys' Brigade was founded by Sir William in 1883 in Glasgow and spread across the country and around the world.
