A Clarkston teenager will represent tens of thousands of young people after being elected as a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament. 

Aine Byers,14, will ensure that the voices of the 40,000 young members of Girlguiding Scotland are heard at a national level.

The young Brownie volunteer only recently joined the guides at her local club in Giffnock.

Barrhead News:

Now, she is excited for this next stage of her Girlguiding journey, working towards improving pathways for accessible education and youth work for disabled youth, as well as tackling gender-based prejudices and stereotypes that lead to violence against girls and women.

Aine said: "I am so honoured to have been elected to the Scottish Youth Parliament, especially as a Girlguiding Scotland representative.

"I hope to make meaningful change for both girls in Girlguiding and young women across Scotland during my time as an MSYP and I am excited to get started.”

Scottish Youth Parliament is the democratically elected voice of Scotland’s young people, made up of 150 young people aged 14-25.

Its purpose is to bring the voices of young people to decision-makers and design innovative, youth-led campaigns to create tangible change across the country.

National campaigns have included improving young people’s knowledge of and access to the right to food, their experiences on public transport, and urging the Scottish Parliament to adopt a rights-based approach to education reform.

Elaine Rough, Scottish chief commissioner, said: “It is a brilliant achievement to be elected as our next Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament, and Aine should be very proud of all the hard work and commitment she demonstrated throughout the election process.

"It will be an excellent opportunity for her personal development and growth, and I know that Aine will be an effective ambassador for Girlguiding Scotland.”