A DEVOTED Girlguiding leader from Kilmacolm has received a prestigious accolade in the King's New Year Honours List

Margaret Douglas Rae has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her services to Girlguiding across Scotland. 

Margaret started out as a Brownie in Bishopton when she was just seven and worked her way up the ranks to become county president. 

She received notification of the honour back in November but had to keep the news a secret until the full list was unveiled on December 29. 

Margaret said: "The envelope said 'private, confidential, personal' so I really had no idea what I was opening. 

"I was absolutely astounded at what I saw when I opened it. 

"I had to look at it twice, reread it, and read it again before I realised 'this is real, it is me!'

"It was a total surprise and just absolutely wonderful news."

Margaret says it was very difficult keeping the news to herself, especially over the festive period and she had a lot of texting to do when the embargo on the news was lifted.

She has been involved with Girlguiding as an organisation for more than 50 years.

Margaret says she's grateful to everyone who helped her progress from a Guide into a young leader. 

She added: "The people I remember from being a young Guide are the leaders, the people who had interesting things for you to do every week. 

"They helped me in my life choices and inspired me early in my career. 

"They gave me a very good platform to continue my Guiding journey over the years."

In her role as county president for Girlguiding Renfrewshire, Margaret steered young women through the coronavirus pandemic. 

Greenock Telegraph:
Her letter of congratulations from the Cabinet Office said Margaret had helped to make the role more 'visible and approachable' and 'broken down the mystique' associated with the role. 

She added: "I was hugely honoured when asked to be country president. 

"Covid gave me the chance to be much more visible to people on Zoom and get in touch with former leaders, some of whom were very isolated through the pandemic."

Margaret volunteered as a teacher for 18 months in Southern Nigeria and helped with the running of Brownie groups. 

She studied biochemistry at the University of Glasgow and after graduating, started working as a clinical biochemist at the Western Infirmary in Glasgow. 

Margaret took on a role as clinical biochemist at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow and stayed there for more than 30 years. 

Although she had to take a step back from Girlguiding when she was studying and working, Margaret never lost touch with her Guiding friends. 

A keen hillwalker, Margaret led many groups of girls to Munro summits and says getting out and enjoying nature is hugely important. 

She was a Scottish Walking advisor and encouraged young leaders to gain the skills needed to take young women on outdoor adventures.

Margaret says the best part of being involved in Girlguiding has been seeing the 'sheer joy' on the faces of young people when they're enjoying the Guiding experience. 

She added: "It's been great to see girls coming back to face-to-face activities and meeting up with other girls.

"It's a great pleasure to see that and see the joy on their faces at just being together."

Margaret has been told that her British Empire Medal will be presented by the Lord Lieutenant locally and will find out more nearer to the summer. 

The devoted Girlguider says she wouldn't have received the accolade without the help and support of her friends and colleagues. 

Margaret added: "I know it's a personal honour but I regard it as recognition of Girlguiding across the whole of Scotland."