Surveying skills
Ever since I can remember the natural environment has been important to me - even if when I can first remember that involved clambering over piles of wood, or twirling in circles on a rope swing below an oak tree.
After university, that enthusiasm turned to working for nature conservation from Shetland to Sussex - some great opportunities, some beautiful places, some paid, some not.
I worked for the Scottish Wildlife Trust for 11 years, here in the Highlands, but in 2000 left to became a freelancer.
That led me away from conservation for a while, and some fascinating work - often community-based and - as before - some paid, some not.
But in 2011 I returned to my nature conservation routes and had several exhilarating weeks carrying out ornithological surveys on a proposed powerline upgrade.
Now I've got the bug and, undaunted by Highland weather, hope to continue with ecological surveying.
You can see a summary of my work experience by downloading my CV.