Our Fellow Rotarian - Gavin Scott

Responses to ‘Our Fellow Rotarian’ - Gavin Scott

When did you join the Rotary Club of Kirkcudbright?

In 1984 I was proposed for membership of our Club by Alec Davidson. Alec worked for the then Stewartry District Council and I had been introduced to him by his wife, Margaret, who was a Court Officer at the Sheriff Court. John Sommerville was the President; as a side note, John was District Governor in 1990/91 and, along with David Duncan, was the only other member to have been Club President on two occasions.

What first attracted you to join Rotary and were your initial expectations fulfilled?

Having arrived in Kirkcudbright in 1983, I thought that membership of the town’s Rotary Club was a good way to get to know more people and thereby become better integrated into the community and to have the opportunity to ‘give something back’ in the sense of service. My expectations were indeed fulfilled although, looking back, it took me some considerable time to appreciate fully the reach and the scope of Rotary.

Can you recall any particular personalities from your early years as a Rotarian?

I will mention two of the 1980s membership, Ian Boyd and David Gulland. Ian was the Area Medical Officer and a terrific character with an understated and droll sense of humour. David was an inspiration and first introduced me to working with the Interact Club at Kirkcudbright Academy – at that time the Rector, Jim Manson, was a member of the Club.

You were Club President 1992/93, what were the highlights of your year?

Two occasions come to mind: (i) the Club arranged the first visit to the town of ‘Aly Bain & The Boys of the Lough’ in aid of the Camphill Community at Loch Arthur, Beeswing – a packed Cochran Hall enjoyed an excellent performance and a substantial amount was raised; and (ii) presenting the Community Service Award to Sister Yvonne Hutton. Early on that particular Tuesday evening, with a friend, I had been out running when we came upon a cyclist who had fallen heavily and seemed concussed. In true movie fashion I stepped out into the middle of the road to seek help by stopping the first car which came past; by strange coincidence that car was driven by Yvonne who provided immediate assistance before taking the cyclist to the Cottage Hospital.

Looking back over your years as a Rotarian what contribution to furthering the aims of Rotary have been made by you, as an individual, or the Club as a whole, which you consider have been particularly beneficial and reflect well on the Club.

To preface my comments I pause to reflect that what Rotary achieves, as a movement or at Club level, is primarily a result of a team effort; it is never really about the individual. Bearing that caveat in mind, on my part, I think back on my involvement with the Interact Club over a period in excess of 20 years and often with other Club members (initially with David Gulland and, for an extended period, with Dave McKenzie) and always with the support of the Club. Separately, I am delighted that the Spelling Bee format I devised some 14 years ago remains a popular Primary Schools event and has now been added to the Academy calendar. At Club level we have achieved, and continue to achieve, so much that it is difficult to identify any especially beneficial contribution albeit our extensive contact with young people is most supportive to them and reflects very well on all of us.

And now, as an ‘elder statesman’ in Rotary, what are your thoughts about the continued success of the movement?

In any voluntary organisation people ‘vote with their feet’ – we are very fortunate here in Kirkcudbright: our Club manages to combine much hard and dedicated work for the benefit of others whilst retaining, in a youthful spirit which arguably belies our age profile, a real sense of fun and fellowship. The movement should continue to be successful if it can promote that overall image to the wider communities in which Rotary has a presence. Success can breed success and although we should guard against becoming complacent I am hopeful that the movement will continue to attract those of all ages who are willing to place ‘service before self’. 

Now, and privately, between you, me and our 50 plus members (!), tell me something amusing about yourself which is not commonly known.

When I was Club President the District Conference was being held in Dundee. Driving north my wife happened to enquire if I had remembered to bring my dinner suit. “No” was the dismal response and after trying and, of course, failing to find some way in which to suggest that Sheila was at fault, I was forced to acknowledge my stupidity. However, the then Vice President, Maurice Halliday, came to the rescue. Leaving Kirkcudbright somewhat later, he was tasked with gaining entry to my home, finding and retrieving said dinner suit. Maurice being Maurice, he did not let me down!