Just before our Thanksgiving break we embarked on a very special, transformative voyage - a leadership journey. A journey of self-reflection, of finding inner peace, of achieving that moment of clarity. A journey that led the fellows to trundle down their memory lanes and lay out all those highs and all those lows that we call life. It was a truly humbling experience to hear all those vivid accounts of joy, excitement, perseverance, hope and adversity. For me those fascinating accounts formed, like beacon of lights, a source of great inspiration and strength.

It is very fascinating that just a few months ago we were all strangers and now we have come together and shared some of the most moving stories of our past with each other. A manifestation of the level of trust and comfort, the safe environment that was cultivated over the course of the programme; that has just grown to a whole new level. It become clear that the fellowship had just been forged into a very strong support network. A network, helping and supporting each other to ensure they all succeed.

The Saltire Fellowship Programme is a very unique programme, that combines intensive interactive learning with extensive work experiences to instill the fellows with confidence, skills and ambition. With the forming of this very strong support network - The Fellowship of Saltire, there is every reason that the fellows will continue to shine and excel as they make their journey towards a more successful Scotland.