I'm AndyT and I love everything to do with the outdoors.

As a kid I was massively nerdy and completely obsessed with nature, I thought I would grow up to be some kind of wildlife expert like David Attenborough or Steve Backshall. I used to collect tanks of various creatures and keep them in my room until I got bored of them and would set them free. I eventually did a degree in zoology which I really enjoyed. I also knew by then that I loved adventuring, I just hadn’t realised you could get a job doing it! Once I discovered that my journey towards being an instructor was inevitable and I love teaching all of the different activities that we offer here at Blairvadach. But, if you want to turn some stones over and look at bugs, I’m your guy!

Follow me @BlairvadachMr_T

I took on the role of Manager at Blairvadach in 2011 and thoroughly enjoy working with a great team in a wonderful environment. I enjoy a variety of outdoor activities as well as more main stream sports. I love travelling in the outdoors and have particular interest in human powered endurance journeys. I am at my happiest after a long day of exertion in a wild place with nothing else to think about apart from eating and sleeping. I have had countless memorable outdoor moments in many different environments but am most proud of winning the 2005 Atlantic Ocean rowing regatta in 49 days.

I am currently working towards a Master’s in Business Administration at the Strathclyde University Business School.

@BlairvadachNeil

Hi I’m Scott I’ve been working as an Outdoor instructor for over 20 years all over the UK and Europe. I’ve worked at Blairvadach now for the past 6 years. I love my job, where else can you call skiing at the top of a snowy mountain, scrambling over rocks, canoeing down a beautiful river, climbing waterfalls or kayaking through bouncy rapids your office.

My favourite activity to lead groups of young people is gorge walking. I love watching my group grow in confidence and start to explore the gorge pushing themselves and taking in the magnificence of where they are.

Learning is forever as every day is a school day and I really enjoying exploring new places and trying new things.

I’m Stewart and my love for the outdoors started when I was 8, on a guided trip to the woods with a local Forest Ranger. On that trip we built shelters and ate a wild plant, Common Sorrel. From that point I was hooked on Nature and Adventure.

My favourite things to do are foraging for wild foods and kayaking down rivers…when I’m not playing Xbox.

Follow me at @blairvadachstew

Born and bred in Lancashire, I developed a love of the outdoors from my Mum and Dad who every year dragged me and my younger brother on family holidays to different parts of the Highlands and beyond. I was always outside when I was younger and never wanted to be stuck inside, so I knew that I would enjoy working in the outdoors in some shape or form. Many years after making this choice, I find myself incredibly lucky to now live and work where I do. I’ve had the privilege of being in the outdoor Industry for the last 20 years, and part of the Instructional team here at Blairvadach for the past 6 years. In that time I’ve had the pleasure of meeting young people from all over the world, some real characters, and some truly inspirational individuals. Being albeit, a small influence on their lives, showing these people the outdoors and seeing them develop during their stay here gives me the biggest job satisfaction. Of all the activities on offer here at the centre, my main passion and hobby is Mountain biking. There’s nothing better than riding your bike down a remote Highland Glen and seeing where the trail goes…

Favourite quote: Life moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it!

@BlairvadachAndy

Hi, i’m Lee. I’ve been working in the outdoors for over twenty years and am lucky enough to love my job. I’m a keen kayaker whether its sea, river or surf, mountaineer and mountain bike rider. I also started swimming a few years ago and now compete in open water events and am hoping to start some triathlon events in the near future. Other than the outdoors, over the years I’ve developed a bit of a soft spot for bird watching and have my binoculars readily to hand. I’m friendly, easy going and love meeting new people.

@blairvadachLee

Hi, I started working at Blairvadach in 2014 and my favourite activities have to be scrambling or sailing. I love scrambling because I love to explore while learning about the processes that helped to shape our land. A journey into the caves offers us a chance to not just have fun but also take a look back in time while we learn about the geographical processes that helped to shape our landscape. I am learning how to sail just now, I love being out on a boat splashing through the waves with some of my friends. The outdoors has so many different fun activities to try, perhaps a lifetime is too short a time to learn them all but I’ll certainly give it a go!

@BlairvadachAMcN

I have always enjoyed being outside and exploring. At the age of 14 I did two weeks work experience in an outdoor centre in England and knew from that moment that I wanted to be an Instructor. I have worked full time at Blairvadach since 2008 and am still passionate about what we deliver for the groups that arrive here.

In my free time I still enjoy going outside and doing anything that challenges me and scares me a little. Some of my favourite things to do are: climbing stuff in summer and winter; kayaking down rivers or on the sea; sailing in boats; skiing; camping.

This job allows me to share my passion of the outdoors, adventure, challenge and education with people of all ages and backgrounds.

My favourite quote at the moment:
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

@BlairvadachRoss

I enjoy all the activities that we offer, but my favourites are Rock Climbing, Scrambling and Skiing (on the rare occasion we get enough snow!). 

The best bit about my job is helping people to step out of their comfort zones into the adventurous activities that bring about so much learning and development. I love seeing the pride in people when they've achieved something they thought they couldn't - that happens quite a lot here :-) 

"Have a go. Trying something new isn't easy, that means it's going to take some effort - effort requires some energy and motivation. So dig deep, pull your socks up and have a go - try your hardest, you might surprise yourself." 

@Blairvadach_K

Hi, I’m Rob, one of the associate staff members at Blairvadach.

I have been active in the outdoors for over thirty years and can’t wait to share these experiences with you guys.

I absolutely love being in nature and I am at my happiest when I am doing one of these activities, climbing, walking, canyoneering, gorge walking, paddling, boarding, biking, camping, fishing…………or just relaxing with a good book in a park.

I am a firm believer in the healing powers nature can have on your health and wellbeing and as the great conservationist John Muir said “Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt” so let’s get exploring!!

One of my most memorable experiences I’ve had, was a weekend solo camping trip into Ben Alder in early winter. I biked in, which was a bonus, with all the gear (well, Luxuries) I was taking with me. I remember the weather was perfect, blue skies, and great snow. I managed to get a wee fire going at my tent with the sawdust log I carried in (which nearly broke my back), the night sky was amazing as I sat there listening to some music on my headphones, thinking I was the luckiest guy on the planet.

One of my many ambitions is to spend some time exploring in the back country of Alaska and experiencing nature at it’s most beautiful.  I am also a musician, so maybe we can get together and a have a wee sing song on one of our adventures together?

@BlairvadachRob ‏

My love for the outdoors started when I went on a residential trip in primary 7.  Since then I have been to some incredible places, including climbing Kilimanjaro for charity in 2015.

In my spare time I’m most likely to be carrying my bike up a mountain to ride back down it!

It’s hard to beat spending quality time with friends in the outdoors and exploring new places.

@BlairvadachA

Hi I’m Katie, I have been working in the outdoors for 6 years and I love it. I always knew I wanted to work outside with either children or animals. I decided to do a degree in outdoor pursuits management when I left school. It was through doing this course that I discovered Blairvadach.  My favourite activity at Blairvadach is climbing. I love the challenge of climbing up the crag and managing something that seemed impossible from the bottom, there’s usually a pretty good view at the top too! If I’m not climbing in my spare time I also enjoy hill walking, running and horse riding.

@BlairvadachK

I’m Steve and I’ve been working at Blairvadach as an Instructor for just over 10 years.  I began my love of the outdoors when I was in the Boys Brigade and over the last 30 years has seen me take that love into working full time as an Outdoor Instructor.

My first love were the hills and mountains of Scotland and over the years I’ve taken that love on a journey through different activities from climbing, biking, paddling and bushcraft and at the end of a day setting up my wood burning stove and having a cuppa, makes me happy.

I have an Honours Degree in Countryside Recreation, Conservation & Environmental Studies from Edinburgh University, so when taking young people and occasionally adults out on an activity I always look to bring aspects of that knowledge into whatever we’re doing.  Whether we’re in a forest, walking on a beach, biking on and off trails, climbing on a crag, scrambling over rocks or in a gorge, we can learn so much about our environment, not just about the activity we are doing.

I love nothing more these days than going for a walk into the woods and forest or on a beach finding the right spot and setting up one of my many wood burning stoves, yip I’ve got quite a few.

I feel extremely lucky and privileged as an Outdoor Educator, playing my part in children’s education through the outdoors.  They can gain so much and are like sponges soaking up lots of information, developing new interests and learning new skills.  My mantra is “It’s about the journey, not the final destination”.

@BlairvadachS

Hi I’m Calum and I’ve been working in the outdoors for over 27 years.  When I was at school, I was fortunate enough to have had lots of opportunities through the education system to go outdoors, climb mountains, learn how to sail, how to kayak and go on a residential trip.  These have had a hugely positive impact on my life.

I’m passionate about providing similar opportunities to others and believe that Outdoor Education can provide major benefits to people’s health and wellbeing.

I love being outdoors whether it’s on land or sea but I think that my favourite activity is journeying in my sea kayak, exploring our amazing Scottish coastline and having close encounters with its wildlife.

@BlairvadachC

Having grown up in Yorkshire, surrounded by beautiful scenery and countryside, my love for the outdoors began at an early age.  I would spend all my spare time biking, camping and exploring, taking every opportunity possible to be on the water or up a mountain.  In 2002 I made the move to Scotland to study at university and begin my career in the Outdoors.  I love being able to share outdoor experiences and encourage other people to get outside and make the most of our natural environment.  When not at work I love to travel, listen to live music and spend time with my friends and family.

Follow my adventures @BlairvadachDan

I’m Duncan and I’m one of the people who will help to look after you during your stay at Blairvadach.

I am completely in awe of nature, how it is at the same time both Mother and Father to us and can be so beautiful and yet so ferocious.

I am interested in cinema, television, music and the arts in general and love to be transported away and see fantasy worlds and civilisations come to life on the big screen.  I enjoy talking about these things with our visitors.

My favourite quote is, “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”  Once quoted by Nelson Mandela from his favourite poem ‘Invictus’ by William Ernest Henley.

Hi, I’m Aileen.  I’ve been an instructor at Blairvadach since 2006 and I love my job!  I get to take groups of young people (and sometimes older folks too!) in to the beautiful and amazing Scottish outdoors.  We have some of the most fantastic locations to “work” in (I can’t really call it work when I enjoy it so much), in environments that challenge and inspire us all to explore the world outside our comfort zones.  The very best part of doing outdoory stuff is seeing the realisation on people’s faces when they do something they didn’t think they could do or learn something new about themselves.  Everyone who knows me would say my favourite activity is sailing…but secretly I also love kayaking…and climbing…and biking…and bushcraft…well actually I love all the activities we do.  Any excuse to get outdoors, unplug from technology and have an adventure!  My favourite quote is “working hard is important but there is something that matters even more: believing in yourself” (Harry Potter).

@blairvadachAils

Hi I’m AJ and I am an Operations Support Assistant here at Blairvadach. I have a huge passion of the outdoors and have worked in the outdoors since I was in high school! In my last year of school, I did a week work experience in an outdoor activity centre in Devon and that is where my passion started. I left school when I was 16 to study Outdoor Education at college. While at college I participated in rock climbing competitions, kayaking trips in the French alps and canoe trips in the Ardechè! I then progressed on to an apprenticeship course in an outdoor centre. The same one I did work experience in 3 years earlier! After this I had my 2 wonderful children and we moved to Scotland. I studied childcare and became a qualified childcare practitioner. I started at Blairvadach early 2022 and I absolutely love it! You will find me all around Blairvadach doing many different things from changing lightbulbs to making sure the Blairvadach kit is clean and tidy (some of our instructors are messy!). You may even see me out with the instructors if I’m lucky!

@BlairvadachAJ

Tom is one of our newest team members, expect a bio very soon

Erin is one of our newest instructors.

Expect a bio soon.

@BlairvadachErin

Debbie is one of our weekend instructors.

Expect a bio soon.

@BlairvadachDebs

@BlairvadachRhys

@BlairvadachFran

@BlairvadachMike

Hello, I'm the latest Andy to be added to the Blairvadach team. My love for the outdoors stems from numerous mountain walks and youth hostel stays with my family as a kid. Also a memorable climb and abseil kindly run by the Lochaber mountain rescue team up in Inverie, Knoydart, an amazing place, gave me desire to start climbing. After dabbling in working as a park ranger, I much prefered enjoying and experiencing the outdoors with others which led me nicely into my career as an outdoor instructor. Enjoy the large variety of activities offered at Blairvadach and the opportunity to tailor the programme to each individual group.My particular favourites are paddlesports, climbing and scrambling.

Follow me on X / Twitter @BlairvadachAndB