"For me, the main thing Scotty's means is community."
18-year-old Kirsty’s dad, Cpl Robin McLachlan, died in a road accident before she was born. She and her sister became part of Scotty’s Little Soldiers in early 2012 and are two of the charities earliest Members.
“For me, the main thing Scotty’s means is community,” says Kirsty. “It’s a fantastic resource, and it always helps to know you’re not alone and that there are other people your age in similar situations. If you ever want to reach out with any issues, there’s all these people who understand what you’re going through and can point you in the right direction.”
Kirsty McLachlan waving the Scotty Flag
From a young age, Kirsty has been very interested in music, and with help from the Scotty Allowance her family has been able to pay for a variety of music lessons. She now plays piano, guitar, bass, double bass, ukulele and even used to sing.
“Scotty’s has helped a lot with paying for those music lessons. They started a very long while ago, probably around primary school age. I’ve been playing piano the longest, which started because my sister was learning it at the time and my mum asked if I wanted any lessons. I said no, because I had this idea that I wanted to be an architect, but after watching my sister play, I knew I wanted to do it too. I then got interested in a local folk band, and that really helped with developing my confidence and getting a better grasp on what music is.”
On top of playing five separate instruments, Kirsty also enjoys creating her own compositions and is hoping to study music at university next year.
“I’m still waiting for my results, which isn’t much fun. I’m hoping to study at either Cambridge or Durham. I just hope I get the grades!”
Kirsty and her violin
With the aid of Scotty’s Springboard programme, which supports members aged 18 to 25, Kirsty will continue to receive support through to the end of university and beginning of her career, assisting with opportunities to develop her education and life skills.
In addition to music lessons, Kirsty has received a variety of other Scotty grants which have helped her reach key milestones in her life.
“I had a driving grant last year which was really useful for me, as I’m slightly terrible at driving. I passed in the end but I’m really glad Scotty’s could help out with that. My sister also successfully applied for a super grant a few years ago to do her gold Duke of Edinburgh award! Her joints are hypermobile, which means she struggles to walk the distance they need to cover, but there was also a sailing option, which Scotty’s helped her pay for and meant she could get a gold DofE award. It was dead cool.”
Kirsty after passing her driving test
In addition to receiving grants to help develop her skills and provide new opportunities, Kirsty and her family have also attended a number of Scotty events over the years, including respite breaks.
“We’ve been on Scotty breaks to Center Parcs, which Mum loves as she says it reminds her of when she and my dad used to live at JHQ in Germany – the Army base. She really enjoys getting the opportunity to go there as it reminds her of Dad.”
Kirsty has also attended a number of Scotty’s Christmas parties over the years, and in 2020 took part in our lockdown Christmas party over Zoom. She thought the whole day was fantastic, but one moment in particular stands out to her.
Kirsty attending the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show with Scotty's
“I actually enjoyed the fact it was digital because it led to such a fun format. The highlight for me was when Santa Claus appeared and started playing jingle bells on the concertina, which is a really cool folk instrument. The absurdity of it was just phenomenal. I remember when it came onscreen – I ran downstairs shouting to Mum, ‘this guy's got a concertina, it’s brilliant!’
As well as being lots of fun, the Christmas party also serves as an opportunity for Scotty Members to meet other bereaved military children and young people who understand what they’re going through.
“It’s a great chance to meet up with everyone and the community aspect is really nice,” says Kirsty. “It’s comforting to know everyone there is going through the same thing you are, that you’re not the only one who doesn’t have everyone home at Christmas, but you’re all still able to smile and have a good time.”
Another photo of Kirsty at the Hampton Court Palace event, 2015
As one of Scotty’s earlier members, Kirsty has spent her childhood and the entirety of her teenage years being supported by the charity. Over this time, she’s seen Scotty’s grow and evolve first-hand, while the position the charity holds in her life has changed to meet her needs.
“I’ve been a member of Scotty’s for a long time, since near the start. There’s always been the Christmas do, where you meet up with everyone, but now that Scotty’s support more people there’s lots more opportunities for meeting other Members. Rather than only knowing a couple of people up North and a couple down south, it feels like everyone is much closer together. There’s more of a Scotty’s community at a local level and it’s much easier to connect with those people, which I think is really cool.”
Kirsty displaying one of her art pieces
Scotty’s Little Soldiers is a charity dedicated to supporting children and young people (0 to 25 years) who have experienced the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces.
Inspired by the experience of Army widow Nikki Scott, following the death of her husband Corporal Lee Scott in Afghanistan in 2009, the charity, which was set up in 2010, provides support and guidance to hundreds of bereaved military children and young people throughout their childhood.
Services offered to Scotty’s members include access to child bereavement support, guidance to parents and carers, personal education and learning assistance (including grants), and fun activities such as holiday respite breaks and group events. These are all designed to remind the children and young people supported by Scotty’s that they are not alone.
Kirsty wearing her Scotty scarf and an abundance of hats
If you know a child or young person who has experienced the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces, they could be eligible for specialist bereavement support from Scotty's Little Soldiers. Hundreds of bereaved military children aren’t getting the support they need but we are here to help.
If you are the parent or carer of a bereaved military child or young person, click here.
If you work with bereaved children & young people, click here.
If you are a bereaved young person seeking support, click here.
