A BROWN Owl is getting ready to take to the sky above Scotland’s second biggest river to raise money for her Girlguiding group.

Tracey Binnie will zip slide across Glasgow’s River Clyde tomorrow (Saturday).

The impressive fundraiser will see the 38-year-old raised in a carriage by a crane to about 155ft before stepping off into thin air and scooting 700ft above the river at speeds of about 40 miles per hour.

Tracey, who is Brown Owl, or leader, of the 5th Tranent Brownies, explained why she took on the “adventurous” challenge.

She said: “I like to show people that Girlguiding is not about colouring in or crafts.

“We are a lot more adventurous than people give us credit for. By doing something a wee bit out of the box, I can raise awareness a wee bit better and get some decent fundraising.”

Tracey has been involved with Girlguiding, where she is also assistant leader of the 1st Tranent Guides, and Brownies for more than five years.

She said: “It is the biggest uniformed youth organisation in the world, which is rather impressive.

“We are just here to offer girls wonderful opportunities and help them develop themselves with lifeskills and we have lots of initiatives going on.”

Tracey, who is a digital access worker with Haddington Citizens’ Advice Bureau, said there was an “awful lot” going on within Girlguiding.

That includes a revamp of the badges, with the chance for youngsters to earn badges including mixology, with youngsters learning how to make mocktails.

Tracey added: “The way it is set out now, girls can really excel with things important to them.

“We have a Brownie who is determined to get her archaeology badge and we will go down to the Waggonway and talk to them about it.”

Among the new initiatives is Future Girl, which is built around five topics: planet protectors, adventurers, self believers, respect makers and barrier breakers.

The Tranent resident has already experienced what it will be like to fly through the air ahead of the breath-taking fundraiser.

Last month, the Brownies swapped East Lothian for PGL Dalguise, near Dunkeld.

Tracey added: “Funnily enough, my Brownies were at PGL and I had a go on the zip wire there.

“It was my practice run and I promised my Brownies that I would wear a kilt for the Glasgow zip wire.

“I will be wearing shorts!

“It was really fun.”

Anyone who is interested in volunteering with Girlguiding across East Lothian should visit www.girlguidingeastlothian.org and to support Tracey go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tracey-binnie4