Girlguiding Scotland

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.

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

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

• Youth development programmes
• Girls uniformed organisation
• Community volunteering
• Charitable youth services
• Peer education programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

Edinburgh

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. Shop Sales: Online shop selling uniforms, badges, and guiding merchandise with profits supporting Girlguiding Scotland operations.
3. Donations and Fundraising: Direct donations, legacy gifts, JustGiving fundraising, and Kiltwalk participation raising funds for units and the organization.
4. Event Fees: Training events and courses with fees ranging from free to £27.50 per event for members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core 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

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Walk, Wheel Cycle TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered on challenge packs for girls - created resources to support activities and badge work
• Keep Scotland BeautifulminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered on challenge packs and campaigns related to environmental themes
• Institute of Civil EngineersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered on challenge packs related to engineering and STEM activities
• Forestry Commission ScotlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered on challenge packs related to outdoor activities and nature
• Make Space for GirlsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered on campaigns and challenge packs supporting girls' access to spaces and activities
• ScotRailminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on challenge packs and campaign activities
• YoungMindsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpert partner in developing Think Resilient peer education programme on mental wellbeing
• Strathallan SchoolminorOthersHost venue for Camp CEO 2026 residential event in Rural Perthshire
• Stirling Youth HostelminorOthersHost venue for peer education basic training weekend in Stirling

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct 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

• Facebookfacebook.com/girlguidingscot
• Instagraminstagram.com/girlguidingscot
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/girlguidingscot

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Girlguiding Scotland