Cairncross Award 2026

The Rotary Club of Perth Cairncross Award is made to individuals recognised for doing good charitable works in the local community.

The award is made annually and consists of a small trophy, which is held by the award winner for the year, and a cheque for £250, which is payable to a charity nominated by the award winner.

We are delighted to announce this year’s Cairncross Award for Outstanding Work in the Community was awarded to Chris and Hilary Kirk for their work with the Scouting movement.  Between them they have over 100 years of service to Scouting and have been responsible for shaping thousands of young people and supporting hundreds of adult volunteers across Perth and Kinross.

Chris Kirk MBE has been part of the scout leader team at 10th Perthshire Group since the late 1970s.  Hilary Kirk also became the Cub Leader at the 10th.  Chris has been involved at every level of local Scouting in Perth & Kinross District before returning to be Group Lead Volunteer at 10th Perthshire – the biggest scout group in Perth and Kinross, where he supports the leaders who provide the weekly programmes for the young people.  Chris is also currently acting District Chairman.

Hilary has also been the Group Lead Volunteer at the 10th and was Perth and Kinross Assistant District Commissioner for Adult training for many years – responsible for ensuring all adults were provided with the appropriate training and support.

Chris and Hilary have trained many hundreds of leaders over the years to ensure that young people have the best programmes and the safest scouting.

Hilary Is currently the District Secretary and supports beavers, cubs and explorers in an administrative capacity at the 10th.

Chris and Hilary were instrumental in raising the money for the current 10th Perthshire scout hall built in 2009 in the grounds of Perth Academy and extended in 2013.  In June 2017 Chris was awarded the MBE which he chose to receive in Perth by Lord Lieutenant, Brigadier Melville Jamieson.

Chris thanked The Rotary Club of Perth for the award saying “He was grateful for the acknowledgement of the scouting movement and expressed both Hilary and his enjoyment at the work done.  He was pleased that the monies received would be put to good use to ensure inclusivity of membership and opportunity in the Scout Group.”