Ecological surveyor, writer and editor in the Scottish Highlands | sitemap | log in

Archaeology for Communities in the Highlands (ARCH)

I'm working for this community archaeology organisation as their part-time outreach worker - and what a great job it is! Find out all about the exciting ARCH projects on our website.

Ecological surveying

Last year I returned to my roots, as an ecological surveyor. I was very lucky to be given the opportunity to work with Eric Donelly and Yvonne Brown of A9 Consulting, carrying out ornithological surveys of a proposed powerline upgrade between Mossend and Beauly, here in the Highlands. The weather was challenging, but the work rewarding nonetheless - black grouse reconnaissance (sadly none seen) point counts and a variety of transects - from moorland to lowland. Early starts, long days, wet feet - but the bird songs and sightings made it all worth while. There were some beautiful views too - and honey sandwiches can become strangely addictive!

East Church, Cromarty

Work at the East Church, Cromarty is now complete and the church is open to the public.

It is great to be able to share enthusiasm for this fascinating building with the visitors, both through meeting them, and through all the interpretive material that I and David Alston have put together, working in collaboration with designer and photographer Iain Sarjeant. You can download some examples below:

Even though conservation work is complete the pleasure of meeting experts in many fields - architects, building conservation workers, stone masons, glass restorers, paint experts - remains vivid. There was always so much to tell people about, through the website, newsletters, notices and press releases. Everyone working on the church soon became used to me taking photographs of them and to appearing internationally via the website, or locally in the Cromarty shops and post office.

We ran some great training days in association with the conservation work on the church and many popular open days for visitors and local schools, you can find out more about these on the news pages of the website.

Some earlier work

I worked on an interesting selection of things 2010, including writing a report for Scottish Natural Heritage about raising health awareness and healthy activity in the workplace.

I chair the Courthouse Museum Trustees and wrote our 2010 exhibition on Black Isle Author Jane Duncan, which celebrated the centenary of her birth.

Press

Church marks celebration of Sir Thomas Urquhart

Kirk renovation reveals paper trail of Black Isle parish

Lifting the lid on the hidden stories of the past

vttmedia.com

For something a bit different check out some great mountain bike films on my son and daughter's website www.vttmedia.com. Their second DVD is for sale - great filming and editing - and an absolute bargain at only £12.00 including postage and packaging.