Happy 100th Birthday 1st Dunfermline Guides

Guiding began in the UK in 1909, by Robert Baden-Powell. Guiding in Dunfermline can be traced back to 1910 when the 1st Guides met at what was the old Dunfermline High School in Priory Lane. 

1st Dunfermline Guides was not officially registered until January 1926, but we know the unit has been in existence since 1910!  So although this is officially the start of the unit’s 100th year, the unit is actually 116 years old this year.  1st Dunfermline Guides are also registered as the 1st Fifeshire unit and we are the oldest continuous unit in Fife. 

We have a proud history. In 1946, the 1st Dunfermline Guides had the first ever Queens Guide Award in the UK –– this award remains the highest accolade in Guiding.  

From the very beginning Girl Guiding has been a strong and influential movement which has promoted being of service and good character.  Our motto Be Prepared drawn from the initials of our founders Lord and Lady Baden Powell.  Our aim to prepare all girls of today for life tomorrow. Girl Guiding is the biggest women’s organisation in the world with 10.8 million members from 153 countries.

And here at St Leonard’s – we are still one of the strongest units in Fife.  With a history of camping, awards, trips abroad, day’s out, loads of fun that has had St Leonard’s Church hall as it’s home since 1926.

We’ve come a long way since 1926 and have a long way to go with every reason to be very proud of this special birthday.

On Friday 30th January 2026 the unit enjoyed a very special celebration to mark this special occasion with new unit hoodies to celebrate! Sharon, who is the current leader of the unit helped cut the cake with her Mrs Sylvia Livingstone who was her leader in the same unit. Emily, was awarded the Guides Gold award which is the current highest award a guide can achieve by Janice Spence (the current county commissioner) and everyone is very proud of her achievements in the unit.