But last month the West Lothian foursome met again at the Craigs Scout centre at Torphichen, and marked half-a-century together.
Norrie Melrose (70) from Linlithgow, Roy Dewar (69) from Whitburn, Bob Gowans (69) from Bathgate and Alex Dickson (67) from Whitburn, are probably the longest-running Scout Patrol still working together for the movement – though these days they call themselves the Summer Wine Patrol!
Over the years they have been Scouts themselves, leaders, fundraisers, helpers, and more recently, hard-working volunteers restoring an adventure playground at the Craigs.
It was opened earlier this year, and boasts amazing equipment, suggested by groups from around the county as they visited the centre over recent years.
The four young laddies were signed up as Rovers with the 1st West Lothian Sea Scouts back in 1959, when the Rev PHR MacKay was in charge. Before they were invested they had to take part in a challenge – which involved a night trek through West Lothian on their own.
On October 17 the four met again at the centre, where they volunteer with the Scout Fellowship, and were given souvenir copies of that first photo together, along with a replica of the staff first given to them to ''help them navigate their way through life''.
The four may have gone their separate ways in their careers – with them ending their working lives as an engineer, trainer, police chief superintendent and a joiner – but the friendship has stayed constant.
And when a female Sea Rangers group was started up in the hall Norrie, Roy and Bob went on to marry its members, and their children and grandchildren have kept up the family tradition in Scouting.
Roy said: ''Scouts was my life. I stayed in Woodcockdale every weekend, except for Christmas, for four years.
''This place has been a big part of my life, and a big influence on my life.''
They've certainly repaid their debt to Scouting over the years, with them leading teams to restore Woodcockdale when it was a run-down shell, including completely re-roofing and flooring it, and making it into rooms fit for a Scout group. They also helped raise £25,000 to make it happen.
At both Woodcockdale and Torphichen the team have had plenty of support from West Lothian Council, including help in sourcing equipment.
Norrie said: ''The best thing I have had from Scouting is the friendship which has lasted for 50 years, what more could I have asked for?''
Roy added: ''The most important things for me are Woodcockdale, and my wife. She has supported us in everything we have done in Scouting.''
A Scouts UK spokesman said: "Scouting is all about providing adventure for young people and adults.
''An adventure for a Beaver Scout might be a sleepover, or for an adult leading an expedition in the Highlands.
''This group of friends have enjoyed 200 years of Scouting between them as young people and adult volunteers. Scouting works because adults volunteer and have a great time and so I would like to thank and congratulate Norrie, Roy, Bob and Alex on this fantastic achievement and I wish them many more years of fun, challenge and adventure in Scouting."
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