What is the Award?
Are you in S6 and thinking about what’s next?
The Mark Scott Award helps you build confidence, learn about yourself and others, develop practical skills, and make a real difference in your community before you even leave school.
It’s a two-part programme that starts with a week of challenging outdoor adventure and learning and ends with a community project you lead. You’ll develop your resilience, communication, and organisation skills and come away more confident, connected, and ready for whatever comes next - whether that’s university, an apprenticeship, or your first job.
Over the last 25 years, more than 3,500 young people across Scotland have taken part. Many say it changed their lives.
Part 1: Outdoor adventure at Loch Eil
Your journey begins with five days at our Loch Eil Centre near Fort William, usually between August and October.
You’ll take on team and personal challenges like rock climbing, raft building and mountain expeditions, with expert instructors and a new team of peers from different schools and backgrounds. Along the way, you’ll learn about yourself and how you interact with others in a team, project planning and develop your skills in a way that no classroom can teach.
Expect early starts, big views, and even bigger conversations. You’ll come away with new friends, new strengths, and a stronger sense of who you are.
Part 2: Community leadership back home
It will be something you and your team decide your community needs. This could be anything from improving people’s lives to helping develop your community – the choice will be yours.
You’ll be supported every step of the way. And by the end, you’ll have built something that matters. Not just to your CV, but to the people around you; something to be proud of, that will set you apart from others in this important year ahead of you.
Apply online
Is this for me?
If you’re in S6 and one or more of these sounds like you, then yes:
- You want to boost your confidence and do something new
- You’d like your CV or personal statement to stand out
- You’re not sure what comes next, but you’re ready to explore it
- You want to build your skills—not just in theory, but in real life
- You care about your community and want to make a difference
We’d love to hear from you.
Apply online
If you’re a former participant, we’d love to hear your story. Email us at [email protected]
Support the Award
Information for participants, parents and teachers
If you have any questions about taking part in the Award, either as a participant or a parent you should find the answers here. If not - please use the contact page to get in touch and we'll happily answer direct
What is The Mark Scott Award?
This is a personal development programme for young people in the Central Belt of Scotland. It was created in memory of Mark Scott, a teenager tragically killed in a sectarian attack. Since 1998, over 3,500 young people have completed the Award.
The Award combines a five-day residential at an Outward Bound centre with four months of community leadership. You’ll plan and deliver a project that makes a difference where you live.
What are the benefits?
Young people tell us this Award changes lives. You’ll grow in confidence, build lasting friendships, and gain the skills to move into work or further study. Many participants also develop a stronger sense of social responsibility—and a clearer sense of what they’re capable of.
Who runs the Award?
The Outward Bound Trust, the UK’s leading outdoor education charity. We’ve run the Award since the beginning, and took over full responsibility in 2013.
How do I apply?
If your school is taking part, you’ll get a chance to apply online after a short talk from your Project Coordinator. You’ll join a team of up to 14 young people from local schools, always including a mix of faith and non-faith schools. There are 152 places each year across 59 schools in 13 areas.
What’s the application process?
- Apply online – Make sure your email is one you check over summer.
- We review applications – We’ll group you with others nearby. You might not hear right away.
- Offer stage – If you’re offered a place, we’ll ask you to:
- Complete a medical (PIF) form
- Sign a contract
- Pay a £50 admin fee (we can support you if needed)
- You're in! – Once you’ve completed the above, we’ll confirm your place. There are no other charges; we even supply the bus to get to the residential course
What will I gain?
You’ll:
- Become more confident and independent
- Learn how to lead and work in a team
- Gain respect for people from different backgrounds
- Make a real contribution to your community
- Have the opportunity to have your Award accredited at SCQF Level 7 if you wish
What will I need to do?
You’ll be expected to take part in:
- A 5-day residential (late summer/autumn)
- Weekly project team meetings
- A Project Forum evening
- Any needed fundraising specific for your chosen project
- Three project delivery days
- A final review meeting
- The Award Ceremony in spring
You will be asked to take part in an evaluation throughout, and may be asked to help our fundraising team by telling people about your experience.
How much does it cost?
Just £50. That covers everything. Our fundraising from sources including the Scottish Government meets the roughly £1600 cost of the Award.
If your community project has specific costs, your team may fundraise to cover them.
What happens on the residential?
You’ll spend five days at Loch Eil Outward Bound centre, taking on outdoor challenges with your new team. There’ll be an overnight expedition, team tasks, and sessions on leadership and planning. You’ll learn by doing—and discover more about yourself than you ever could in a classroom.
What support is in place?
You’ll have a Project Coordinator—an experienced Outward Bound instructor—who stays with your group from start to finish. They’ll lead your residential and support you during the project phase.
Your school will also have a School Champion—a staff member who supports participants and works with your Coordinator.
Advice for parents
You can support your young person by helping them manage their time and encouraging them when things get busy. Many participants say the Award actually helps them organise their schoolwork better.
Thousands of students have balanced the Award alongside sixth year—including some studying Medicine. With encouragement, your child can too.
Can this count towards other awards?
Yes. The residential can count towards the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Participants also earn up to 70 hours for the Saltire Award. Elements may support other awards like the Caritas Award.
What kind of community projects do teams deliver?
Anything that helps others. Past examples include:
- CPR training for P6 pupils
- Soup kitchens for homeless people
- Community centre renovations
- Activities for older people
- Garden creation for care homes
Projects must deliver around three days’ worth of benefit and can take many forms.
How much school time is needed?
You’ll need time out of school for:
- The 5-day residential
- Some meetings during school hours, if your project requires it
- Up to three delivery days (or equivalent)
Any time out of school must be agreed in advance. Most teams fit project work around evenings or weekends.
Teachers: how can I get involved?
Each school names a School Champion to support students and stay in touch with the Project Coordinator. You’ll help promote the Award, check in on participants, and be a key point of contact.
When does recruitment happen?
Main recruitment runs March–April, after S5 talks. There’s a smaller window in early June. Most applications are processed before summer to allow for school-based support.
History of The Award
1996: The Award is inspired by the life of Mark Scott, a 16-year old schoolboy who was murdered in 1995 in an unprovoked sectarian attack.
In response to this tragic event, Mark’s parents, Niall and Judith Scott, established the Mark Scott Foundation to help young people to develop their talents.
1998: The trustees of the Mark Scott Foundation decided to develop the 'Mark Scott Leadership for Life Award' and bring together young people often separated by their backgrounds, sectarianism, racism or territorialism.
The Outward Bound Trust has partnered and supported The Mark Scott Foundation from the very beginning of the Award.
More than 3,500 young people have now taken part in and benefited from the Award.
2012: Niall and Judith and the Mark Scott Foundation trustees decided that The Outward Bound Trust should take over full responsibility for developing and growing the Award.
2012-2015: A significant grant by the Scottish Government enabled us to increase the number of participants in the Award.
It recognised the value of the Award and provided a firm basis for us to reach hundreds of young people across the central belt of Scotland over
the coming years.
2022: We celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Award, with the name of the programme shortened to 'The Mark Scott Award'.
Apply online