Scouts Scotland's new president Mollie Hughes's message on the importance of the great outdoors is worth listening to – Angus Robertson

It’s long overdue, but Scouts Scotland has appointed its first-ever woman president.

With her experiences of adventure and adversity, Mollie Hughes will be an inspiration to boys and girls across the country as the new president of Scouts Scotland (Picture: Mollie Hughes)

Congratulations go to the Everest and South Pole adventurer Mollie Hughes who is based in Edinburgh. Last year the 30-year-old became the youngest woman to ski solo from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole.

She will be an inspiration to boys and girls across the country with her experience of adventure and adversity.

In her message to Scotland’s Scouts, she urged using the great outdoors to help boost their mental health during the pandemic.

”Getting outside is something that we need for our physical health but I think more importantly, especially at the moment, for our mental health," she told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland.

"You don't have to climb massive mountains to get that mental health benefit. It's all about spending a little bit of time in nature and taking a relaxed approach in getting out into the ocean or into the forest and just having that time away from the stresses of everyday life.”

It’s a long time since my days as a Scout at the 51st Waverley which was based at St Andrew’s and St George’s Church on George Street in Edinburgh.

I am still hugely influenced by my positive experiences, lessons and skills learned and lifetime friendships from Scouting days.

I’m sure that Mollie Hughes, who spends much of her time as a motivational speaker and frequently works with school-age children will make an excellent president of Scouts Scotland and inspire a new generation of young people to get involved.

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