Named after Scotland’s first ever Chief Guide – Allison Cargill House was opened by Girlguiding East Lothian in 1975.
If you would like more information or if you would like to organise to stay at the house please visit the Allison Cargill House website.
Who was Allison Cargill?
Born 13 August 1886 Scotland’s first ever Guide, Allison Cargill, set up her own patrol, in the loft of some stables near her Glasgow home, with five friends from Laurel Bank School, Glasgow.
They formed the Cuckoo Patrol, affiliated in 1909 to the 1st Glasgow Scout Group. After
the war, as Division Commissioner, N. E. Glasgow, she enrolled 30 Guides at a time. She later became Midlothian County Commissioner and chair of the Scottish Finance Committee, both for 23 years. In 1939, she received the Silver Fish, Guiding’s highest award, and in 1953 became President of the Council for Scotland. Guiding East Lothian originally opened the Brownie House, named after Allison Cargill in 1975. The land to the rear of the property was acquired from Whittingehame Bowling Club in the mid1980s.
40th Anniversary of the house was celebrated in 2015.
