Presentation of Duke of Edinburgh Awards, Irvine Army Cadet Force

Eighteen year old Cadet Corporal Kaitlyn Scrimgeour was presented with her five sectional DofE Gold certificates from Mrs Erica Lockett, Deputy Lieutenant of Ayrshire and Arran.

Corporal Scrimgeour heads to the Palace of Hoyroodhouse in July to receive her Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Certificate at a Royal presentation.

The Deputy Lieutenant visited the Irvine detachment of the Army Cadet Force last week to find out a little bit more about how this voluntary youth organisation works and what it offers young people. Mrs Lockett DL was delighted during the visit to present such an internationally recognised award for young people.

It has taken Corporal Scrimgeour nearly two to complete her award. For volunteering she instructed junior cadets and for her physical took up walking in the area, taking many beautiful pictures of the scenery. Her practice expedition was in the Galloway Hills with her four-day qualifying expedition in the Yorkshire Dales in August 2014.

Her great passion is being a member of the Army Cadet Force Pipes & Drums, therefore she learned to be a tenor drummer in her skills section. Her residential course was taking part at a 10 day Pipes & Drum concentration training in Inverness, where numerous regular army pipers and drummers teach the young cadets.

Last Wednesday evening was a rather sad night for Corporal Scrimgeour as well, as she has reached the maximum age for a cadet and it was her last parade night. She hopes to return as an Adult Instructor in the near future when settled in her new job.

The Army Cadet Force is a voluntary youth organisation sponsored by the army and is open to both male & females between 12 and 18 years old. The West Lowland Battalion AXF has no fewer than 33 detachments throughout south-west Scotland.