Longcraig was founded in stages, during the 1970s, by the Edinburgh Scout Association. At first, regular sailing sessions from Longcraig Pier took place - there were no facilities such as showers. All boats had to be brought down from Edinburgh and launched from a trailer.

Now, the Centre has improved dramatically: in terms of equipment, facilities, numbers of staff and the number of young people from Edinburgh, the Lothians and worldwide who are taking part in watersports at Longcraig each year.

In 1998, a brand new 2-floor activity centre was completed to replace 2 old huts that had previously been used. The new building has many features :

• a training room providing warm, dry accommodation for teaching sessions
• a well-equipped workshop to facilitate ongoing maintenance
• spacious changing rooms with adjoining toilet block
• kitchen and tuck-shop
• separate staff changing and toilet facilities
• first aid treatment room
• office for administration and activity co-ordination
• lots of specially-designed storage space for boats and other equipment, including a garage for our two safety boats