A Girlguiding unit from Inverness has been able to go on their first big weekend away since Covid. 11 girls and three leaders from the fourth Inverness Guide unit ventured to Edinburgh at the end of May in their first adventure to the central belt. The girls boarded a bus from Inverness and arrived in Edinburgh in the evening, where they proceeded to visit a chip shop before hiking up Calton Hill to take in the view of Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh Castle and over to Fife. The next day saw a visit to Camera Obscura on the Royal Mile, the Museum of Childhood, and then onto the Chocolatarium. The unit also headed to Dynamic Earth and Mary King’s Close. Speaking about the trip, one girl said: “We were lucky to get to Edinburgh as it has lots of things to do and places to go, I haven’t been before. “I would like to go to the Castle and learn more about the history of Edinburgh and its extinct volcanoes.” Another added: “It was very good because there are so many things to do in Edinburgh. “I thought the Mary King’s Close was amazing because the guy was very funny and good at explaining.” The unit was supported to go on their adventure through the Generation CashBack project – a Scottish Government-funded scheme which aims to offer opportunities for disadvantaged young people. CashBack is delivered in partnership with Girlguiding Scotland, Boys’ Brigade Scotland, Scouts Scotland and Youth Scotland. The girls were also encouraged to apply for a National Entitlement Card to get free travel – meaning they can now travel further afield. Unit leader Penny Sutherland said: “The Guides are missing out on wider opportunities. Sometimes we feel a long way from anywhere else and accessing activities further afield is prohibitively expensive. “I can’t help but reflect with some pride on the trip. Seeing one of our own ex-Brownies, now a grown woman, committed leader and commissioner work against some post-Covid reluctance to organise an amazing trip, and to get to be part of it myself was double joy. “I also reflect on how fortunate we have been to have the support of Generation CashBack. We work hard as a team to provide a varied programme of activities and do get out and about quite a lot, we visit the emergency services, carry our litter picks and play frisbee golf for example. “The chance to utilise the funding to visit a major city though provides opportunities on a whole different level. Most of the attractions we visited have been open for decades and yet few of the Guides had visited more than one of them before, and several had visited none. “It was a privilege to be able to open their eyes to the potential opportunities that are really not too far away, and to show how to access them on a budget. “They all have a bus pass now, so we hope they put it to good use!” Speaking about CashBack’s support of the unit, Girlguiding Scotland’s CashBack development officer Anna added: “It’s fantastic that CashBack has been able to support this unit to go on this trip. “As well as having fun on their amazing trip, these girls have learned so many new skills and have grown in confidence whilst in Edinburgh. We’re so proud that CashBack enables girls to get out of their comfort zone and make incredible memories in a safe space.” Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.