31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Ayrshire youngster celebrates 'deeply personal' Duke of Edinburgh's Award
Grant McLellan shares the life-changing impact of the DofE, from discovering a passion for archery to teaching young people in the USA.
Saltcoats man recently completed his Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award and celebrated his achievement at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Grant McLellan, 21, left His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh momentarily speechless, as he recounted how The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE) has shaped his family across generations – from his parents meeting on expedition, to his own life-changing experiences through archery, volunteering, and international travel.
The Duke, who is Patron of the DofE charity, met Grant at The Palace of Holyroodhouse on Friday, July 4, at a special celebration event which recognised his Gold Duke of Edinburgh's (DofE) Award achievement.
Grant's story is deeply personal, his parents met on their own Silver DofE expedition in the Netherlands. Completing his Gold Award brought his journey full circle, making him the final member of his family to achieve it.
The celebration recognised Grant, who like the 600 other young people in attendance, have shown extraordinary perseverance, creativity and resilience to complete their Gold DofE in schools, community organisations and youth groups all over Scotland.
Award holders and their proud guests had the chance to hear from famous Scottish faces, including Olympic athlete Eilish McColgan, singer and songwriter Nathan Evans and legendary Scottish actor James Cosmo.
Grant said: "I wouldn't be alive without DofE as it was on their Silver expedition in the Netherlands where my mum and dad met.
"My Gold Award enabled me to learn, coach, compete in archery as well as help run a club in a committee position to allow new archers to enjoy a sport that I have come to love."
Grant, a student at the University of Strathclyde studying Aero-Mechanical Engineering, began his DofE journey at 14 to strengthen his CV. Inspired by his family, his parents and brother who are all Gold Award holders, he completed his Bronze and Silver Awards before pausing his Gold due to the pandemic.
His passion for archery, discovered during his Bronze Award, became a defining part of his life. He competed across the UK, served on his university archery club committee, and even taught archery at a summer camp in the USA. His DofE expedition to Arran in 2021 was one of the first post-pandemic, and despite the rain and midges, "it felt like a return to normal."
Grant, said: "I was 14 completing my Bronze Award to bolster my CV and follow in the steps of my mum, dad and big brother who are all Gold Award holders.
"At this time, I began archery, shooting recurve as a novice as I wanted to begin a new skill that I had never tried before. I continued to shoot after completing my Bronze sections as I progressed from secondary school to the University of Strathclyde where I am completing my undergraduate degree in BEng Hons Aero-Mechanical Engineering.
"Unfortunately, due to the pandemic in 2020, I decided to pause my Gold Award until I could fulfil my sections without social distancing as well as focusing on my studies. However, I continued to compete and shoot regularly as archery was my newfound passion that became a big part of my life.
"As an experienced archer, I decided to take a step out my comfort zone and apply to work in a summer camp in the USA, where I was able to teach young people the rules and discipline of archery. It was during my Gold expedition in 2021, a fellow Award holder had recommended that I apply and spend a summer in the USA, and it was one of the best things I have ever done alongside my Gold Award. Throughout my last year of university, I got back in contact with my assessor and completed my Gold Award sections."
During the Gold Award celebration in the gardens of The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Eilish McColgan shared the lessons she'd learnt from her own career and told attendees that the resilience of the DofE "stays with you" and "it's not just an Award; it's a lifelong reminder of what you're capable of."
She said: "Keep building on what you've already achieved. Keep that community spirit alive; you never know when you'll need your people around you. Keep your focus inward, on what you can do. And most of all, keep believing in yourself."
The DofE charity recently announced record-breaking participation numbers. In Scotland 33,816 young people actively took part in the DofE in 2024/25, 20,363 young people started their DofE, and participants contributed an incredible 351,156 hours of volunteering – with an estimated total value of £2.2 million.
A Gold DofE Award is a major achievement – young people spend at least 12 months honing new skills and talents, planning and completing an expedition and residential, and volunteering for a cause they are passionate about.
Helen Anderson, Director for Scotland, The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, said: "It's a real honour and a privilege to be celebrating our amazing Gold Award holders in the gardens of The Palace of Holyroodhouse. I've seen thousands of smiling faces and proud family members looking on – and rightfully so, as these young people have shown extraordinary perseverance, creativity and self-belief to be here. A Gold DofE Award will equip them with lifelong skills – and it's wonderful to see our Award holders sharing their experiences, having fun, and discussing their plans for the future.
"Last year, over 20,000 young people started their DofE in Scotland, showing just how much appetite there is for enrichment opportunities beyond formal education. Together with our volunteers, partners and supporters, we want to reach as many young people as possible – so that even more can take part in a life-changing DofE Award."
