Girlguiding Scotland
Girlguiding Scotland is a registered Scottish charity delivering an age-segmented youth programme (Rainbows through Rangers, ages 4-18) to approximately 40,000 young members through 9,000 volunteers across Scotland, funded via donations, shop sales, training fees and grant partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1933
- HeadquartersEdinburgh, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Girlguiding Scotland does
Girlguiding Scotland (legally The Guide Association Scotland) is a registered Scottish charity (No. SC005548) and the Scottish national body of the Girlguiding movement, operating continuously since becoming independent from the UK-wide organisation in 1933 with roots to the first Scottish Guides registered in 1910. It delivers a structured, age-segmented youth development programme through four core membership sections — Rainbows (ages 4-7), Brownies (7-10), Guides (10-14) and Rangers (14-18) — supported by two adult engagement tracks, Routes for 18-30 year-olds and the Trefoil Guild for continuing adult members. The organisation serves approximately 40,000 young members and is delivered by around 9,000 volunteers organised across 31 Scottish counties, with its headquarters and Edinburgh retail shop located at 16 Coates Crescent (occupied since the eve of World War II).
Its portfolio spans the core membership programme, peer education modules (Think Resilient, Breaking Free, Safe the World) developed with expert partners such as YoungMinds, residential camps including Camp Càirdeas and Camp CEO, the Ready Set Lead leadership resource, challenge badges co-developed with partners (ScotRail, Forestry Commission Scotland, Institute of Civil Engineers, Keep Scotland Beautiful), and supporting infrastructure including an online shop, the Ignite Hub digital resource centre for volunteers, a learning management system, and a dedicated Volunteer Recruitment Project. Membership administration runs on the shared GO system operated by UK-wide Girlguiding, with no proprietary technology platform owned by the Scottish entity.
Revenue is generated through a diversified non-profit mix: individual donations and legacy gifts processed via JustGiving, Virgin Money Giving and Committed Giving; merchandise and uniform sales through an Edinburgh retail shop and online store; modest training event fees (for example, £27.50 per member for first aid and walking assessment courses, with travel expenses covered up to £35); Kiltwalk fundraising events across Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen; and institutional grants from partners including The Gannochy Trust and Cashback for Communities. The organisation is governed by trustees under a chief executive (Kim Atkinson, appointed May 2026) and has no subsidiaries, no parent company, and no disclosed M&A activity, operating entirely within Scotland as a single-country domestic charity.
Girlguiding Scotland firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Girlguiding Scotland
- Legal name
- The Guide Association Scotland
- Website
- https://girlguidingscotland.org.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1933
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Girlguiding Scotland is a registered Scottish charity delivering an age-segmented youth programme (Rainbows through Rangers, ages 4-18) to approximately 40,000 young members through 9,000 volunteers across Scotland, funded via donations, shop sales, training fees and grant partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Girlguiding Scotland industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Development Charitable Services
- NAICS
- Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (61)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Student Mentoring & Peer Support Programs (EDAJALAL)
Keywords
Where Girlguiding Scotland is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Edinburgh
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Girlguiding Scotland business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Partnerships and Funding: Partnerships with organizations providing resources, badges, campaigns, and funding. Previously worked with Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, Keep Scotland Beautiful, Institute of Civil Engineers, Forestry Commission Scotland, Make Space for Girls, ScotRail, The Gannochy Trust, and Cashback for Communities.
- Shop Sales: Online shop selling uniforms, badges, and guiding merchandise with profits supporting Girlguiding Scotland operations.
- Donations and Fundraising: Direct donations, legacy gifts, JustGiving fundraising, and Kiltwalk participation raising funds for units and the organization.
- Event Fees: Training events and courses with fees ranging from free to £27.50 per event for members.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | One time | 16-hour first aid course for members |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Level 2 walking assessment for members |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Girlguiding Scotland product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Girlguiding Scotland delivers age-banded youth development programmes for girls and young women aged 4-18 (Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Rangers), supported by community-based adult volunteer networks and supplemented by peer education, challenge badges, residential camps, training courses, and merchandise/online shop offerings.
Product overview
Girlguiding Scotland operates as a youth organization offering a structured membership programme across multiple age-specific sections: Rainbows (ages 4-7), Brownies (ages 7-10), Guides (ages 10-14), and Rangers (ages 14-18). The organization provides additional programmes including Routes for young adults aged 18-30 and the Trefoil Guild for adult members. Core programming includes peer education sessions (Think Resilient, Breaking Free, Safe the World), residential camps (Camp CEO, Camp Càirdeas), and the Ready Set Lead leadership resource. Supporting infrastructure includes an online shop, a learning platform for volunteer training, the Ignite Hub for resources, and events management. The portfolio is unified under a single membership framework managed through the GO membership system, with additional digital touchpoints including Zoom-based training and the peer education programme.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Rainbows
Quantifiable outcome
- 9,000 volunteers help almost 40,000 girls learn new skills and grow in confidence across Scotland
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Girlguiding Scotland
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Girlguiding Scotland technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration9 records
Girlguiding Scotland partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- Walk, Wheel Cycle TrustminorPartnered on challenge packs for girls - created resources to support activities and badge work
- Keep Scotland BeautifulminorPartnered on challenge packs and campaigns related to environmental themes
- Institute of Civil EngineersminorPartnered on challenge packs related to engineering and STEM activities
- Forestry Commission ScotlandminorPartnered on challenge packs related to outdoor activities and nature
- Make Space for GirlsminorPartnered on campaigns and challenge packs supporting girls' access to spaces and activities
- ScotRailminorPartner on challenge packs and campaign activities
- YoungMindsminorExpert partner in developing Think Resilient peer education programme on mental wellbeing
- Strathallan SchoolminorHost venue for Camp CEO 2026 residential event in Rural Perthshire
- Stirling Youth HostelminorHost venue for peer education basic training weekend in Stirling
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Girlguiding Scotland competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Girlguiding UK: UK-wide parent/affiliated guiding organization using the same age-segmented programme (Rainbows through Rangers plus peer education). Directly comparable mission, structure and governance; differs only in geographic scope (England, Wales and some overseas territories vs. Scotland).
- Girl Guides Australia: Australian national guiding organization running Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers equivalents with peer education and outdoor adventure. Mirrors Girlguiding Scotland's programme structure and operating model in a different geography.
- The Boys' Brigade: UK-wide Christian youth organization with a long-standing structured programme (Anchor Boys, Junior Section, Company Section, Seniors) and strong Scottish footprint. Similar volunteer-led, badge-based, age-segmented model aimed at character and skills development.
- Woodcraft Folk: UK-wide cooperative youth charity running local groups for children and young people focused on social justice, environmental awareness and cooperative learning. Closely comparable grassroots volunteer-led delivery and values-led youth development mission.
- Scouts Scotland: Scotland's largest mixed-gender youth development charity delivering a structured age-segmented programme (Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers) with volunteer-led units and challenge badges. Operates in the same Scottish geography and competes for the same parent and volunteer pool.
- Girl Guides of Canada-Guides du Canada: Canada's national guiding body with Sparks, Brownies, Guides, Pathfinders and Rangers sections plus unit-based volunteer delivery. Same badge- and programme-led, age-segmented model for girls and young women.
Broad incumbents
- National Youth Agency: England's statutory body on youth work, setting standards, training and policy for the sector. Adjacent comparator for scale, governance and youth-sector positioning, although operating in a different UK jurisdiction.
- UK Youth: UK-wide umbrella charity supporting a network of youth organisations with funding, research and training. Operates in adjacent territory to Girlguiding Scotland's mission and represents the broader youth development sector.
Regional players
- YouthLink Scotland: National agency for the youth work sector in Scotland, supporting member organisations with policy, training and advocacy. Relevant as the umbrella body for youth development charities operating in Girlguiding Scotland's geography.
- Girlguiding Ulster: Northern Ireland country of Girlguiding UK operating the same programme under a regional governance model. Directly comparable structure but in a different UK jurisdiction.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Girlguiding Scotland social profiles
Digital presenceGirlguiding Scotland compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Girlguiding Scotland financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Girlguiding Scotland leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Girlguiding Scotland funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Girlguiding Scotland M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Girlguiding Scotland
What does Girlguiding Scotland do?
Girlguiding Scotland delivers age-banded youth development programmes for girls and young women aged 4-18 (Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Rangers), supported by community-based adult volunteer networks and supplemented by peer education, challenge badges, residential camps, training courses, and merchandise/online shop offerings.
Is Girlguiding Scotland a public or private company?
Girlguiding Scotland is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Girlguiding Scotland founded?
Girlguiding Scotland was founded in 1933. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Girlguiding Scotland based?
Girlguiding Scotland is headquartered in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Girlguiding Scotland make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Partnerships and Funding is the primary driver. The others are shop Sales, donations and Fundraising and event Fees.
Who are Girlguiding Scotland's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Girlguiding UK, Girl Guides Australia, The Boys' Brigade, Woodcraft Folk, Scouts Scotland and Girl Guides of Canada-Guides du Canada. Broad incumbents are National Youth Agency and UK Youth. Regional players are YouthLink Scotland and Girlguiding Ulster.
Does Girlguiding Scotland have an API?
No public API is recorded for Girlguiding Scotland.
What industry is Girlguiding Scotland in?
Girlguiding Scotland's product category is Youth Development Charitable Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAD, Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits, with a secondary code of EDAJALAL, Student Mentoring & Peer Support Programs. Its NAICS code is 62411 and its SIC code is 8200.