A Scout Master relies heavily on his leader team and Bob was well served in this respect with ASMs who had come though the troop and had lots of experience and enthusiasm. During Bob’s period as Scout Master he had the assistance of ASMs such as Jim Harvey, Ken W. Johnston, Ian McFarlane, John Nisbet, Alistair B. Cram and Albert Runcie. Bob handed over the Troop to Alastair Cram and became Group Scout Leader at the Founders Day Parade held on the 24th April 1966. Unfortunately, it is not known when he finally left the group because of missing records.

Bob was an enthusiast for practical Scouting and so Easter and Summer Camps were particularly important in promoting that. The first recorded camp that Bob ran as Scout Master was the Blairmore Easter Camp of 1960. The Friday of that camp was marked by a supper where one of ‘Bob’s famous dumplings’ was devoured. Bob’s dumplings were a camp institution at most, if not all, long camps. Bob was also keen on promoting pioneering projects at the longer camps. At the Blairmore camp, he and Ian McFarlane built a bridge over the burn, helped by the Rhinocerus patrol. Bob and Ian also dug the latrines and so it is not surprising that they went off for a swim in the Loch during the afternoon – another camp tradition that Bob introduced. Nobody else joined them; the scribe for the log stated that there was ‘a howling gale and the water was freezing’.

Bob’s first Summer Camp as Scout Master was held at Tarbert (1960). Unfortunately, very little is known about this camp, other than that a seamen’s strike meant that the Scouts had to travel to camp by private boat. This camp was also significant as Bob and Ian MacFarlane brought back a small log that was later carved into a small totem pole and painted. ‘Totie’ still survives and resides in the Troop HQ. At the Pitlochry Easter Camp of 1961, Bob was advised not to camp as he was recovering from illness. Therefore, he stayed at the Fishers Hotel each night, and visited the camp during the day, relying on John Nisbet and Ken Johnston (QM) to keep an eye on things when he was not there. Bob prepared his traditional dumpling as his contribution to camp cuisine, and used his car to shuttle Scouts from the campsite to Pitlochry and back.

The Arduaine Summer camp of 1961 was an innovation as the 70th had never camped there before. Another innovation was the use of a minibus to drive the gear and some of the Scouts to the campsite. The minibus also proved invaluable on wet days as it allowed Bob to take the ‘wee men’ for a drive, and also proved useful for a day trip to Oban. However, as they were about to set off for Oban, Bob met a leader from an English Scout Group who were also camping in the area, and was told that they were expecting a visit from the County Commissioner that day. Alarmed that such a worthy might decide to drop in on the 70th as well, there was a speedy return to camp to make sure everything was spick and span before finally setting off for Oban. Another possible innovation at Arduaine was the holding of a Scouts Own every morning, with a Scouter or PL giving a talk on one of the Scout Laws each day. As there were 10 Scout Laws, that meant that a different Scout Law could be covered for each day of the camp. Predictably, Bob also prepared his traditional camp dumpling. During the camp, the Scouters and three PLs completed a mammoth night hike which involved them arriving back at 5am. At the subsequent flagbreak, Bob dressed up as an Indian Chief and presented ‘medals’ to the 3 PLs for their achievement. As mentioned above, one of Bob’s favoured camp activities was cold water swimming, but even so there were limits. At the Arduaine camp, Bob organized a swimming expedition to Loch Melford. However, when they got there, Bob decided that it was too cold, and so they wandered up a burn to a deep pool. Nevertheless, tradition was duly observed on the last day of camp once everything had been tidied up and the minibus was ready to leave. Before departing, Bob and Ian McFarlane went for a final swim in the loch.

In April 1962, Bob was present for the first part of the Easter camp at Portavadie. Activities included plaster casts, a treasure hunt, swimming, games of ringstick, football and baseball, an ascent of a small hill behind the campsite, and hikes to standing stones, a vitrified fort, a deserted village and ‘haunted’ houses. A day was also spent practicing semaphore, and a camp shower was constructed. The scribe reporting on the camp was clearly impressed at the height that Bob could hit a baseball.

There is no information regarding the 1962 summer camp although it might have been at Tayvallich – another ‘first’ in terms of campsite destinations. Tayvallich was certainly the destination for the Summer Camp held in 1963. Camp records reveal that the Scouters ate with the patrols at teatime, and this is the first evidence of a practice that was intended to ensure that patrols were coping with cooking and eating well at meal times. Bob was generally very encouraging when inspecting meals and other aspects of camp. For example, Bob’s described one of his dinners as ‘tiptop’. He also inspected a bivvy and gave the constructors a ‘1st class opinion’ on it. One patrol prepared steps up to their kichen, which Bob thought to be ‘the favourite’. He also inspected two bivvys and could not decide which was the ‘favouritest’; the choice was between between a leaky ‘bivv’ built without twine, or a waterproof ‘spiv biv’ where twine had been used. Bob also insisted on checking gadgets and constructions. When inspecting an oven, he insisted that something be cooked in it to see how well it worked. The resulting scone was taken over to Bob for tasting and he thought it ‘extra favourite’. Bob also made a point of field testing monkey bridges that had been built. This could be rather risky. At this camp he twice fell off one such bridge. Fortunately, his field testing of a coracle at a later camp (see below) proved more successful. Bob was strict on camp standards. At Tayvallich, he found some ‘wandered rubbish’ close to a patrol site and immediately penalized the patrol 20 points. This discovery occurred when Bob was on a toadstool hunt, something else that he seemed particularly interested in, so much so, that some Scouts brought him toadstools to add to the collection. The rubbish incident was immortalized in a camp song with the following verse;

“We loved to go a wandering,

Of all our useless junk,

Till Bob found loads around the hill,

And nearly did a bunk.”

Bob and the other Scouters would often join in with the Scouts when games were being played. For example, at Tayvallich, Bob participated in a game of football and the troop scribe described being ‘constantly clobbered in the second half by a belligerent Bob, who helped score N goals’.Later, Bob produced his camp dumpling which was described as ‘delicious’.

The next two substantial camps consisted of Easter camp at Pitlochry (1964) and Summer Camp at West Loch Tarbert (1964). One of the highlights of the latter camp was a swim in the loch, and a battle to seize control of an island. Another camp activity that Bob usually organized was a hike up the closest hill to the campsite. At the 1964 Tarbert camp, the hikers set out to find the source of the river that supplied the campsite with water, then an ascent was made to the trig. point of Cnoc a’Bhaile-shios. The descent included a swim in one of the lochains by Bob and three of the Scouts. As a postscript, Bob took the two winning patrols from summer camp to Cappielow during November 1964 to watch Morton defeat Dundee United 2-0.

The summer camp of 1965 was also held at West Loch Tarbert and a couple of impressive pioneering projects were constructed that were probably the biggest pioneering projects ever attempted by the 70th. These took the form of a tower and a commando bridge. As usual, the troop attended church on the Sunday and Bob read one of the lessons. Another activity that was unique to Tarbert was an overnight fishing trip in a trawler that usually involved a couple of older Scouts. After the camp was over, Bob treated the winning patrol to the pictures to watch “Flight from Singapore” and “Zulu”. On the 26th-27th March 1966, Bob led a small party of leaders and PLs on a recce to explore the possibilities of a summer campsite near Pitlochry. They camped at Dunfallandy and used that as a base to explore possible campsites in the area. Dunfallandty had been used for previous camps but was probably considered too small for the now burgeoning Troop. A couple of promising sites were identified near Blair Atholl and Dunkeld, but it was decided in the end to return to West Loch Tarbert for the 1966 Summer Camp.  By the time Summer Camp took place, Bob was Group Scout Leader. However, he was principally responsible for the organization and running of the camp – a fact that Alastair Cram fully acknowledged at a later Court of Honour meeting.  The 1966 camp included a camp tea party for ‘first-timers’ – the first time that this kind of event is mentioned in the available records. This might have been another of Bob’s innovations and was later known as the GSL’s Tea Party. It is also possible that he introduced a bizarre activity known as gnumph hunting which involved trying to capture an invisible mythical creature. It is also likely that he introduced ceremonies as greeting a small totem pole called Torite, and the elaborate process of walking twice round the walls of a ruined chapel with a hat on, then once without – possibly to ward off ghosties. During the camp, he also organised a patrol stunt which involved passing water up a tree to a dixie and to fill it such that it balanced a bag of water. After that he took scouts down to the beach for tracking. At the final campfire, he played a penny whistle that he had made and he probably prepared a dumpling for the final campfire.

Unfortunately, weekend camps and hikes were rarely mentioned in the log books. Most weekend camps were probably organized by the Scouters, but there is evidence of some weekend camps organized by individual patrols. One example of the latter was described in the Troop Log as taking place at Invereck in May 1961. Although this was originally intended as a patrol camp aimed at Scouts with previous camping experience, so many first timers wished to go that Bob agreed to attend the camp. Alistair Cram wrote that “the camp, notwithstanding the midges and Scouter, was a great success.” At the end of 1963, there was supposed to be a Christmas camp (possibly to Blairmore). However, it was called off as the weather was “ultra-non-brillo”. Apparently, nobody told Bob, as he turned up on the second day to check up on the campers. Later, he claimed that he enjoyed the sail and the 7 mile hike involved in getting to the campsite and back. Another weekend camp was mentioned in the log books as taking place at Blairmore in September 1964. Bob and several other Scouts and Scouts were present but the details of the camp were not recorded.

As with weekend camps, many of the troop’s hikes and activities probably went unrecorded in the log books. However, it is clear that the traditional hike over the “Right of Way” was still part of the Troop’s outdoor programme. One such hike took place in March 1961. Not surprisingly, Bob’s intention was to have a swim at Leitchland Lochain. Indeed, as they were walking to the lochain, Bob had been “rambling about great swimming expeditions”. However, when they arrived at the lochain, swimming was abandoned due to the number of reeds and frogs that were present. Instead, Bob engaged in his other great passion and constructed a Monkey Bridge. This is curious as it suggests that a sizeable length of rope was taken on the hike. The hike finished at Ashton and a bus was taken back to Greenock. However, Bob had to pay the fares because several Scouts had no money with them. As a result, he received “2 feet 2½ inches of bus ticket.” Hikes such as the “Right of Way” were generally carried out on Saturday afternoons to avoid clashing with school rugby. As a result, they were christened Sat-Aft expeditions – possibly during Bob’s tenure as SM. Not all Saturday Afternoon Expeditions were hikes. Bob also organized three Sat-Aft expeditions to Rothesay baths during 1960 and 1961, which proved very popular amongst the swimmers in the Troop. No doubt it also provided opportunities to pass the Swimming test for the First Class Badge.

Bob organized some hikes that were restricted to older Scouts and leaders, such as a weekend hike in May 1961 that involved Bob, T.L. A.B. Cram and P.L. R. Lind. The route was from Ardentinny over the hill to Carrick Castle where they camped, before returning by the coastal track via Knapp. This is the first time that this hike is mentioned in the troop records, but it is not known whether it was a Bob Miller innovation or a traditional hike route used by the 70th. It seems likely that this hike was carried out fairly regularly during the 1960s, and was probably intended when Scouters Bob Miller, Alastair Cram, Albert Runcie and Robin Crawford met up at the start of January 1966. However, the weather was so bad that they drove to Carrick Castle instead and set up camp. The next day, they hiked up into the hills to the ‘Viking Village’, where adventurous expeditions were made to a small island (essentially a stone) in the middle of a frozen lake . Lunch included a tin of sardines, and since they were feasting beside the frozen lake, they claimed that lunch had included the ‘delicacy of sardines on ice.’

One rather unusual hike occurred during the harsh winter of 1962-63. In February 1963, Bob organized a troop hike up to the Renfrewshire moors to build igloos. Bob provided a very full account of this in the Church magazine, writing it up as if it was a major expedition akin to the ascent of Everest. The Troop Scribe (Billy Phillips) duplicated the report in the Troop Log, but made it clear, “I have copied a great, long, irrelevant choice, juicy ramble written by Bob for the Finnart Church Mag.” The article was entitled ‘A Winter Expedition’ and Billy made a point of writing, “I do not own this and did not write it.” Robin Crawford remembers the expedition well. The Scouters made an excellent igloo, the photographs of which are on the web site. The igloos made by the patrols were less impressive, principally because igloo construction soon gave way to a mass snowball fight where ammunition was obtained from the partially constructed igloos.

Another innovation that Bob may have introduced was an annual winter night hike, held in place of a Friday night meeting. The first of these may have been in January 1962. The Scouts hiked in two or three separate groups from Finnart Church up to the Cut, then to Sheilhill Glen where the Scouters were waiting to provide sustenance. That year, the sustenance consisted of Bob’s dumpling, biscuits, cake and cocoa. After this, a wide game was played with the objective of capturing torches or lanterns. The younger Scouts were then shuttled home, while the Scouters and older Scouts hiked on to Corlick hill and the Gryffe Reservoir, before returning home in the early hours of the morning. This event was repeated at the end of December 1962, during which the Scouters pitched an Icelandic tent in which the Scouts could shelter and ‘facefeed’ once they arrived. A sing song also took place. It is not recorded whether the hike was repeated in 1963, but it certainly took place in November 1964 with two separate groups of hikers. On that occasion, a wide game took place ‘in a wet, muddy field’. Both groups had a shot at guarding a torch, and both lost it to the attacking team.

A number of Shannon Cup weekends are reported in the records. Troop Scouters were not allowed to be present at these, but Bob still played an important role. For example, in 1960, Bob drove a van to Everton campsite carrying the patrol equipment required for the Competition. He probably did this every year, but 1965 was particularly satisfying as the 70th patrol led by Robin Crawford proved victorious. Bob’s arrival on the Sunday might have made a crucial difference. Robin wanted permission to use a groundsheet for the construction of a coracle. Having gained that permission from Bob, the patrol successfully completed their coracle and were able to safely ferry a member of the patrol across the camp pool. Later, Bob and Albert Runcie risked all and managed a couple circuits of the pool without mishap.

Duty to God is an important part of the Scout Promise and it was one of the Scout Master’s responsibilities to ensure that his Scouts took the Scout Law and Promise seriously. One of the ways of doing that was through the Tenderfoot Badge. Before gaining that badge, Scouts had to have an interview with Bob during which they had to recite the ten Scout laws and promise off by heart, then demonstrate that they understood what they meant, and also appreciated the commitments expected of a Scout once he had taken the promise. In terms of ‘Duty to God’, this meant attendance at various Church Parades and Scout’s Owns held throughout the year. As far as the latter are concerned, the Troop paraded twice yearly to Finnart Church where an evening Scouts Own was held with Scouters and Scouts taking an active part in the srvice.  For example, at the Scouts Own of October 1961, the talk was given by Bob, the prayers were given by the Scouters and the lessons were read by the Scouts. Other Scouts Owns reported in the log books include ones held in March 1963, November 1963, April 1964, November 1964 and October 1965. At the Scouts Own of April 1964, Bob conducted the service and gave an address on the Quest Emblem using a giant picture of the emblem prepared by Billy Phillips, while at the Scouts Own held in November 1964, he gave an address on the “Scout Badge”. The theme for the Scouts Own held in October 1965 was the “Holy Land”, with Bob and DC Swan conducting the service and showing slides of Israel and Jordan. In addition to the above Scouts Owns, there was the annual Remembrance Day parade and church service in Finnart Church, as well as the District St. George’s Day Parade and church service which was attended by all Greenock Groups. In addition, there were a number of special parades and church services where volunteers were often requested to represent the Group. One of the more sombre occasions which required representatives was the funeral of Scout James McKindy of the 5th Renfrewshire on the 12th May 1960. James had died at Everton campsite when he dived into the camp swimming pool. It is believed that his heart stopped as a result of entering the cold water so suddenly. His death was deeply felt by everyone connected with Greenock Scouting and each Troop sent representatives to the funeral. The 70th’s representatives were Bob Miller, Ken Conway, Roy McFarlane, TL Jim Blair and  PL T. Dow.

Another commitment expected of the Scouts was to support fund raising events whenever suitable. The most obvious way in which Scouts could do this was through the annual Bob-a-Job week when Scouts went round their neighbourhoods in uniform and asked householders if they needed any odd jobs done. During the Bob-a Job (BAJ) Week of April 1963, the 70th showed a bit of initiative by advertising a phone up BAJ agency in the Greenock Telegraph. This did not prove as successful as hoped, but Bob and six others got 14 shillings for digging a garden. Other fund raising efforts carried out each year included Jumble Sales, Xmas card sales, and social events. As far as the Jumble Sales were concerned, Scouts were expected to help collect the jumble, while older Scouts helped at the Jumble Sale itself.

It is possible that Bob initiated the first Parents Committee in the Group’s history. Originally, it was formed to coordinate Xmas Card sales as a one-off fund raising effort, but the following year, a more permanent Parents committee was formed to support the Group and its fund raising efforts. By May 1965, the group committee numbered 15 and set itself the goal of raising £1200-£1500 (the equivalent of about £30,000 in 2021) for the building of a group headquarters by organising events such as coffee mornings, concerts and a mammoth Fete-cum-bazaar. In addition, ballpoint pens inscribed ‘Finnart Scout Group’ were sold at one shilling each, thus ensuring a handsome profit. The acquisition of a Scout HQ had been mooted since the 1930s as the Church Hall was far too small for a vibrant Scout Troop. However, it was under Bob’s ‘watch’ that realistic steps were made towards making that dream a reality.

Of course, the bread and butter of Scouting was the Friday night Troop meeting. Games were a major part of the programme. Football and baseball appeared to be the most popular games outdoors. Up until the 1960s, outdoor games and wide games could be played in McAuley’s Field at the top of Madeira Street. However, at some point during the early 1960s, McAuley’s field disappeared under housing and the troop had to move further up the hill for such activities. Presumably Bob was responsible for seeking suitable locations out and possibly asking permission to use them. The area most used was a flat region on the river side of the road about 100 yards uphill from the Lyle Park. Nowadays, it is covered in trees and bushes, but in the 1960s, it was used to graze cattle and provided open ground where games of football and baseball could be played. On one occasion (April 1963), Bob organised a game of football with imaginary goalposts. According to the troop scribe, this ‘was the favourite’. In May 1965, there were several games of baseball and Bob had “several tries at big hits, none of which came off”. One of the problems with baseball was that the ball could go sailing over the cliff, which then involved a long period of searching. The area around the field was also good for setting up trails for tracking, as well as rope trails.

As far as indoor games were concerned, the dominant interpatrol game at the start of each meeting was Crab Football. During Bob’s time, a large wooden die (similar in size and weight to a baseball) was thrown on the floor to determine which patrols would play each other in the patrol game. Each face of the die contained the colour of a particular patrol, and the die was thrown until four different patrols had been identified; there was no need to throw it again as the remaining two patrols would play each other. Log Book reports suggest that the Duty Patrol Leader was first to throw the die, then the PL closest to where it ended up threw it next and so on. PLs sometimes delighted in throwing the die at Bob’s feet rather than the middle of the floor. On one occasion, the Scribe reported that the PL of the duty patrol “projected the dice at the SM’s head. It missed.” The die throwing ceremony could sometimes take quite a while before the first four patrols were identified, and it would be interesting to know who came up with the idea of throwing a large wooden die and who made it in the first place.

  As far as other troop games are concerned, British Bulldog was by far the most popular (and the roughest). However, during December 1961, Bob introduced a variation of BB called “Boy Scout Rodeo”.  The idea of the game was not to lift a Scout off the ground as in British Bulldog, but to pin his shoulders to the floor.   On several occasions, the Scouters participated in games - sometimes challenging the winning patrol at the interpatrol game and sometimes taking on the whole troop. During September 1963, Bob and Alastair Cram went into the middle for British Bulldog. The scribe described the game as a ‘corker’ with many quick captures. In December 1963, the Scouters took on the PLs at the patrol game. The Scribe reported that, “The PLs were soundly beaten by the Scouters –very sad. In their hour of triumph, the Scouters took on all the wee men and by some trick still managed to do all right which was amazing!” Bob added a comment, “Why the amazement?!?”

During Bob’s tenure as Scout Master, a variety of stunts were included in the Friday night programme, some of which were highly imaginative or even wacky. It is not clear who devised the various stunts or whether stunts of this nature had ever been tried in the past. Some stunts may have been taken from ideas provided in the Scouter or Scout magazines that came out on a regular basis during the 1960s. Others might have been invented or modified by Bob and the various members of the Scouter team. The following are several examples. In December 1960, a stunt was organized by Bob and I. McF that involved a ‘tightening knot’, but no details of what this involved were given. During December 1961, Bob and Alastair Cram made a tracking pit in the snow that was meant to show two people starting off from opposite ends of the pit, one on a bicycle and one on foot. When they met they stopped for a ‘ramble’, then swapped the bike and returned to the point from which they had started.

Training and Testing was another important part of the Troop Programme and covered the various Scouting skills that Scouts needed to progress through the Scout Training Scheme. Testing could only be carried out by the Scouters, which often put the onus of training Scouts onto the PLs and the Seconds at Patrol Corners. However, Bob made a point of ensuring that Scouters were also involved in training Scouts. For example, during 1960, there were several meetings where Bob Miller taught signalling (semaphore). Reporting on this, Alastair Cram wrote, “After the S.M. had stressed that signalling should always be done outside, we continued to practice in the hall.” During one meeting in October 1960, Bob took the Senior Scouts for Queen’s Scout Badge instruction. In April 1961, Bob introduced a new approach to training where the troop was divided into four groups such that they could attend four different training bases run by John Nisbet, Ken Johnston, Ian McFarlane and himself on tent pitching, knotting, signaling and mapping respectfully. On another occasion (June 1961), Bob used part of a campfire session to demonstrate how to make a plaster cast, while in Sept 1961, he instructed the Scouts on tracking and asked each patrol to prepare a plaster cast of a bare foot. The Scribe for the Kingfisher Patrol Log wrote enquiring whether “it was the usual thing to find people obligingly walking along muddy Greenock gutters in their best bare feet merely to oblige. There was no answer that would not involve breaking the 10th Scout law or the 6th.” In December 1961, Bob gave a lecture on arm slings. 

There were a number of special events held each year in place of the usual Troop Night meeting. For example, there was always a Halloween party which involved treacle scones dangling from sizal, dooking for apples, musical chairs, jelly, ice cream, lemonade, scones and Bob’s dumpling. Other events included an annual Troop dance with the Guides, an annual Xmas party for the younger Scouts, Social evenings/fund raising evenings and Parents Nights. The annual Parents Night usually involved showing the Scouts and their parents the slides and cine film of various summer camps. This included some camps that currently lack visual records.

One rather unique Parent’s Night occurred in Finnart Church Hall during December 1963, and consisted of a rather substantial Scout Show. It is not known who came up with the idea of a Scout Show. PL Billy Phillips was certainly involved in the production and planning of the show and there is a strong possibility that Bob was heavily involved as well. The Show had a ‘Gang Show’ feel about it with most items intended to be funny/farcical. One of these was entitled ‘Bob’s Pyramid’ which might suggest that he came up with the idea. The parents were led to believe that the troop was building a human pyramid behind a curtain and eventually Alex Aitkenhead’s head appeared above the curtain, no doubt to great applause. The curtains were then ‘accidentally’ opened to reveal the Scouts rushing away with a step ladder. This was voted ‘V. Brillo’ by Billy Phillips. Another item on the programme involved Bob playing records at different speeds to a panel of parents with Billy Gunn acting as Disc Jockey. Billy Phillip’s account of the show suggests that Bob chose the records as Billy claimed that the ‘SM is a square!’ Another item involved Billy Phillips singing Hello Father, Hello Mother to different words such that it related to that year’s summer camp. Bob was duly ‘fingered’ in the following verses;

Verse 2.

“Choosing this site was a bungle

‘Coz the bracken’s like a jungle

And though the SM thinks it’s super

My TL he is s…..ring like a trooper “

Verse 4.

“We went hunting for some fungus

Like the ones that Bob had brung us

But our return was belated

So our dinner it got quite incinerated”

It is clear that Bob had a good if somewhat wacky sense of humour. For example in May 1960, he made the customary announcements before flagdown by stating that 1) there would be a fire practice and 2) that ‘the Scouters hoped we would all fail our exams’.

As far as the organization and planning of the Troop was concerned, the Court of Honour (COH) played a central role. This was essentially the ‘parliament’ of the Troop where all kinds of business were discussed between Bob, the Scouters and the Patrol Leaders. Most of the meetings were held in the Church Session room after the Friday night meeting, but some were in somebody’s house on a different night. For example, a COH was held at Bob’s house during September 1960.  Minutes were taken of the COH meetings, but the minutes covering the COH meetings held during Bob’s ‘reign’ have not been discovered to date. The matters that came up for debate included promotions of Seconds, PLs and Troop leaders, camps, equipment, troop discipline, finances, programme items and administration to name but a few. For example, it was decided in April 1960 to form a senior patrol composed of Kenneth Conway, Hamish Rankin, Stuart Scott, Roy MacFarlane, Trevor Jones and anybody over 15 years of age who had left the troop and wanted to rejoin. Presumably, the idea was to allow the Senior Scouts to follow their own programme and activities, and also to allow younger Scouts to get promoted. An analysis of this initiative was not provided in the log books and so it is not possible to state whether it proved successful or not. Another initiative that must have been discussed in the COH was to find a better place than the Church kitchen to store Troop equipment. It is assumed that Bob gained permission from the church to convert the church cellars (the dunny) into a suitable place for storing the troop equipment and to provide space for the patrols to set up patrol ‘dens’. In February 1963, it was stated in the Troop Log that Bob, Al, I.McF and the PLs were “fiddling about with paint and sledgehammers” in the dunny.

The survival of Troop Logs, Patrol Logs and Court of Honour Minutes has been crucial in creating a clearer picture of Scouting and its personalities throughout the 70th’s history. It has also provided fascinating insights into the personalities of the various individuals who acted as Scribes and artists. One of those Scribes was Alastair Cram who was Bob’s second Troop Leader and took over as Scout Master when Bob resigned in 1966. Alastair wrote up the Troop Log from September 1960 until December 1961, and when one reads his entries the reader could quite easily get the impression that there was some sort of power struggle going on between Bob and Alastair - two strong-willed individuals who were quite prepared to speak their mind. On the other hand, one could equally argue that the passages in question represent good-natured banter– a continuation in print of what was being said face to face. Nowadays, people include emoticons to indicate whether the printed word is meant to be taken seriously or not. There are no emoticons in the log books to indicate the tone or intention of the writer. On balance, it seems likely that there was a good relationship between SM and TL, and that if criticism was ever meant then either party accepted it in a positive way. It is also worth stating that the age gap between Alastair and Bob was only about 5 years and that the previous relationship between Bob and Alastair had been one of ASM and PL. Therefore, Alastair might have considered it good sport to poke fun at Bob in his elevated position. Indeed, most of the ‘interactions’ in the troop log between Bob and Al took place in Bob’s first year. It is also significant that Alastair continued as an ASM under Bob once he had resigned as TL. That would seem highly unlikely if there had been significant friction between them.     

One example of Alastair’s prose comes during September 1960, when he stated that there was a ‘ramble from the illustrious S.M. about signalling’. One could interpret the inclusion of ‘illustrious’ as Alastair being sarcastic. However, it is possible to be sarcastic in a friendly way and he may only have been poking fun at him because of his relatively recent promotion to SM. Another example is where Bob makes the following criticism of the log “Let it here be recorded that the troop scribes (T.L. A. Cram, P.L. A. Millar) failed in their duty to keep the troop log up-to-date. They have made amends to a certain extent by scribing herein information from sources known and unknown. The S.M. feels that it is the interests of posterity that he be allowed to make any additions necessary.” It appears that this comment was taken on board as no excuses were offered by Alastair in print. Later on, when the Troop log is up to date, Bob gives a positive comment recognizing the fact. Another example of Bob ‘drawing the line’ was in April 1961 when he made the comment, “The word ‘bods  is now obsolescent.  Please refrain from its use in future.”

In October 1960, Alastair wrote, “Since tomorrow is Jumble Sale day, all the jumble had to be transported to the Cardwell Bay Mission Hall. The S.M. was in his pit. [Anti-Jumble Saleitis].” In the next entry, he wrote, “The S.M. was still in his pit. The jumble sale went with the usual gay abandon.” And finally, a few days later, he wrote, “The S.M., having quickly recovered immediately after the Jumble Sale, took the over-15, First-Class Scouts for Queen’s Scout Badge instruction.” This could be read as a direct criticism of Bob for shirking, but it is far more likely that it is another example of the good-natured ‘slagging’ that went on between PLs and Scouters. Neither side would have taken it seriously.

There were occasions where ABCs description of an event crossed the line and Bob would ‘rein him in’. For example, following one Friday night meeting, Alastair wrote that there was “no campfire because of last weeks fiasco”. Bob responded simply, “It wasn’t a fiasco.” Alastair very rarely contradicted any of Bob’s comments. One exception involved the hike over the Right of Way in March 1961. However, this interchange is more light hearted in tone. Alastair wrote, “The expedition, on reflection, may be said to be enjoyable, but as very few tests were passed, it is the opinion of the log writer that the object of the expedition was defeated.” Bob added the comment, “On further reflection, and then consulting the list of tests opposite, it is the opinion of the Scoutmaster that the expedition was both enjoyable and successful.” Al then added another comment, “What list of tests opposite?” An inspection of the troop log shows that Al was correct in pointing out the lack of a list, but he may have missed the point. It is quite possible that Bob was implying that the hike was enjoyable and successful because no tests had been involved on the day. There was another interesting incident that occurred during the Summer Camp of 1961. The troop were visiting the local church and the minister told Bob that he was keen to have Scouts read the lessons during the service. Bob immediately ‘volunteered’ Alastair. When Alastair met the minister to find out was involved, the minister told him there were two lessons, at which point Alastair suggested that different people should read each lesson and ‘volunteered’ Bob. One gets the impression that there was a constant battle of wits between the two.

The Court of Honour minutes covering 1959-1962 also provide some insight into the early years of Bob’s ‘reign’.

*In 1960, there was some concern over the monotony of the Friday night programme and Bob said he would try and do something about it. There is ample evidence that he succeeded in that respect. For example, in 1962, Bob reported that the night hike and the game of Rodeo had been great successes.

*In the spring of 1960, there was a proposal that a Senior Scout Patrol should be set up that would be responsible for its own programme and activities. Bob seemed initially luke warm about this, but he must have come round to the idea as the patrol was formed on 1st April 1960. The patrol had the right to draw up its own constitution and was to keep a logbook of its activities (although no such log book has been identified to date). The activities of the patrol were to be camping, hiking, pioneering, sailing and other outdoor activities. A winter programme was also to be be drawn up. There is evidence that the patrol organised at least one backpacking expedition, but there was no further mention of the patrol in the available records and it may have disbanded in the summer of 1960. The formation of the senior patrol contributed to a drop in troop numbers during 1960, especially as only 3 Cubs joined the troop in the Autumn. As a result, PLs were encouraged to recruit new members that year.

*There were several proposals for Sat Aft expeditions or Sun Aft expeditions. Full days or weekends were always an issue in the 70th since many of the Scouts were committed to school sports on the Saturday morning and / or church on the Sunday morning. Proposed expeditions included visits to the Cloch Lighthouse and McKelvies Printing works. However, it is not known whether these visits took place or not. On the other hand, proposed SatAft expeditions to Rothesay Swimming Pool proved popular and there were at least three such afternoon visits.

*Bob suggested that the winning summer camp from 1960 (the Cloughs) should be treated by the Scouters to a visit to the cinema or a social evening at the hall. There is evidence that this also occurred after future camps.

*Bob expected his PLs to have their 1st Class Badge, but was also keen for them to gain their Queen Scouts Badge. He also organized at least one PLs training course. This was held during September 1960 at Blairmore. Bob was also keen to have PL training after troop meetings if there was no COH scheduled, but it is not known whether this took off or not.

* The PLs opinions were important when it came to the promotions of Seconds and PLs. There was usually a discussion of suitable candidates and then a vote was taken. However, it is clear that Bob also had an important role. For example, in October 1960, the PLs voted to promote Alan Conway as he had just gained his 1st Class Badge, but Bob pointed out that P. Fraser had been a Second for far longer and persuaded the PLs to promote him instead. Sometimes, the PLs found it difficult to come up with a decision, in which case Bob decided the issue. For example, in January 1961, the debate was over the appointment of a new Second, but all of those nominated were considered ‘equally bad’. It was then left to Bob to choose ‘the best of the worst’.

*There was some lively interaction at some meetings. In October 1960, Bob agreed reluctantly to bring apples for the Halloween party (for dooking) as the PLs insisted that this was a traditional duty of the SM in Ian Blake’s time. However, Bob, ‘cunningly’ got out of this obligation by stating that he could get free ice cream as long as someone else got the apples. To quote, “After an argument, Ian McFarlane “agreed” to take the apples, and so although breaking the long tradition of the SM bringing the apples, it did not break the SM’s heart (in fact he rejoiced at not having to spend any money on the apples).”

* On a number of occasions, Bob encouraged the PLs to improve discipline during Troop meetings, emphasizing one of the responsibilities expected of his PLs.

*In 1961, there was a prolonged debate regarding the destination for summer camp, with proposals such as Ailsa Craig, Inverness, Loch Ness, Mallaig, Aberdeen, Southend, North Berwick and Dunbar. It was probably June before a firm decision was taken to go to Arduaine.

*Bob was keen to see Troop and Patrol log books maintained. This was to have long-lasting benefits, not least in preparing this website. *Bob was also keen that the troop should enter District Competitions; in particular the Shannon Cup, the Fire Shield, and competitions involving signalling and pioneering.

Finally, one of Bob Miller’s greatest legacies as Scout Master was initiating the project that eventually led to the 70th gaining its own HQ, and the evidence suggests that he initially approached Mr. Lyall for support and advice. This is backed up by a meeting of all parents which took place in May 1965 where Bob explained why the 70th needed its own Scout HQ and pointed out the severe limitations of using the Finnart Church Hall. He may well have pointed out that the Troop was likely to expand by 25% over the following year, based on the number of Cubs due to move up from the Pack. Crucially, Mr. Lyall also spoke at that meeting and explained how a project aimed at converting an old Civil Defence Building at the corner of Finnart Street and Madeira Street would be financially feasible as 75% of the funding could come from government grants, as long as a Parents Committee could raise 25% of the cost over the next 9 months. After several searching questions from the parents, it was unanimously agreed to set up a Parents Committee consisting of 14 parents and the two Section leaders that would raise £1000-1500 over the next 9 months. That Committee first met on the 2nd June 1965 with Bob attending in his role as Scout Master. Bob was also on a sub-committee that investigated the feasibility of organising a large-scale Sale of Work/Fete during the winter of 1965/66. That fete took place on March 5th, 1966 at Martyrs and North Church Halls and raised £180 in total (equivalent in value to £4200 in 2024). During the fete, Mr. Conway and Mr. Miller, with the assistance of several Scouts, ran a series of fairground-type games that contributed towards the overall total accumulated. Isabel and Bob Miller also explored the possibility of Mrs. Bruce producing a Show by the Cubs and the Scouts as one of the fund raising projects. In the end, this did not take place, possibly because of the cost of hiring the Arts Guild for the show or because of practical difficulties in putting it on. On the 19thJanuary 1966, Bob put on a slide show of Israel and Moscow in the Church Hall. It is not known how much money that raised. However, later in the year, Bob gave another lecture, this time on Russia, which raised £4. Bob also obtained information from Scout HQ regarding a Deed of Trust relating to the intended Scout HQ. By the 27th April, the sum raised was £929-2-6 with an additional £30 expected from the Troop as a result of Bob-a-Job Week. Bob also announced that Alastair Cram was now Scout Master with Bob now taking on the role of Group Scout M Master. As such, both Bob and Alastair would attend future meetings. After the summer of 1966, Bob and the Scouters organised a Jumble Sale which raised £61-0-5. Bob was also on a sub-committee consisting of Mr. Thomson, Mr. Kirk and the Scouters which was charged with drawing up detailed plans and costs for the conversion of the old Civil Defence building into a Scout HQ. Unfortunately, Bob Miller had resigned as Group Scout Leader and left Greenock by the time the Scout HQ was officially opened in April 1969. As a result, he did not appear to be present at the opeining ceremony.

Bob actually resigned as Scout Master on the 24th April 1966 and took on the role of Group Scout Leader and Rover Scout Leader. It seems likely that he was responsible for initiating the 70th’s Venture Scout Unit, and he was probably responsible for persuading Donald Williamson to become Venture Scout Leader. It is not known whether Bob ran the Venture Scout Unit at its very beginning, but it is known that he was at Gilwell during April 1966, which suggests that he might have been on courses covering the roles of Group Scout Leader and Rover Scout Leader. It’s not known when Bob left the Group but he was still Group Scout Leader in December 1967 and probably organized the 70th’s presentation of a watch to the Rev. Donald Stewart to mark the latter’s retirement. The presentation ceremony took place at Everton Campsite on the 3rd September and Bob was certainly present. 

Bob may well have resigned in the summer of 1968, possibly because he was moving away from the area on a teaching appointment. Bob went on to make a successful career in Teaching and was promoted to Headmaster at a Dundee school. He contributed many of the Summer Camp slides and photographs that are on the website covering the first half of the 1960s. The last mention of Bob in the available records was of him visiting the Troop’s Halloween Party on the 31st October 1969 to judge the fancy dress.

There are several photographs on the web site which include Bob Miller when he was Scout Master. These include the troop photo taken in 1960, the three visits to Rothesay Baths during 1960 and 1961, Easter Camp 1964, the summer camps of 1964, 1965, & 1966, and the Carrick Castle hike of 1966. There is also a photo taken in Finnart Church during 1965 which shows Bob and the Fox Patrol during Patrol corners.