Lapwing Lodge is the cradle of a million Scouting memories, but its very future is in serious doubt due to the Covid crisis.

West Region Scouts is launching an appeal to raise at least £25,000 to keep the iconic outdoor education and activity centre open until June 2021 when we hope activities will open again as normal.

A series of fundraising initiatives have started in a bid to keep the centre open.

Members of the Scouting family and friends of the centre are being asked to consider making a one off donation to keep Lapwing open.

Lapwing sits at the top of Gleniffer Braes in Paisley and has been used by tens of thousands of Scouts as well as community groups and businesses for decades. It boasts indoor accommodation and facilities as well as outdoor facilities such as the high ropes, climbing walls and water activities on Caplaw Dam.

In recent years the addition of “Hobbit Houses” has enhanced the centre along with the newly-opened Peesweep Hall indoor games area.

Iain McNair, District Commissioner for Paisley and District, is heading up the Lapwing Appeal on behalf of West Region.

He said: “Lapwing Lodge is firmly embedded in the culture and history of Scouting in Scotland and it has hosted countless adventures over the years.

“With the onset of Covid the centre closed at what would have been its busiest period of the year and the income stopped immediately. We have looked at all funding options, Government support and ways to cut costs but the harsh reality is that if we don’t raise at least £25,000, Lapwing Lodge will close its doors and a vital outdoor resource will be lost, perhaps forever.”

”We appreciate that these are difficult times for many people and that this may not be affordable for everyone but hope people can give what they can.

“Lapwing is already open for restricted outdoor events, but it won’t be enough to save it,” Iain added.

“The hope is that by June 2021 the Covid crisis will be over and we can get back to relying on our income from the many Scouting and other groups who use the centre normally. We have an opportunity in West Region to show what this brilliant facility means to us and I hope as many people as possible do what they can to support it.”:

Did you know?

Lapwing Lodge started Life as a Sanatorium for Coats Mill workers in 1910. At this time the veranda was open to the elements for the patients to be wheeled out into the fresh air to recover (fresh air was the only help until we got penicillin). It remained in their ownership until 1955.

In 1959 it was offered to Paisley Burgh and Renfrew County Council, but rejected, after which the building deteriorated.

Ownership changed again this time to the Red Cross in 1960 and Paisley Scouts used the grounds for camping.

In 1968 Renfrewshire County Scout Council negotiated a 20-year lease from The Health Board.

In 1988 Renfrew and Inverclyde Regional Scout Council bought Peesweep from Renfrew District Council and started to improve the deteriorated building and add to the accommodation and site.

The name was changed in 1983 from Peesweep to Lapwing Lodge.

The centre is now used by uniformed organisations, charities and businesses all year around.