Roy Atkins
If it's enthusiasm you want then Roy's your man! Speyside Wildlife guests travel with him again and again and perhaps it's his sense of fun and very detailed knowledge of birds, plants, insects and mammals that has made him one of our most popular leaders. We've known him for over 20 years (gulp!), when he worked for the RSPB (for a time at Speyside's Insh Marshes). He's a great all-round naturalist, and years of experience in the world of teaching have made him a great people person.
|
|
Simon Eaves
Living right next to RSPB Loch Garten, in the Cairngorms National Park, where he was wardening for a number of years, Simon is one of Speyside's keenest birdwatchers. He knows lots about the wildlife of the Scottish Highlands and has a real interest in scarce birds, mammals and identification challenges - with him as your guide you'll learn a huge amount about Speyside. An all-round nice guy, we've yet to meet anyone who smiles more or who's a more proud father!
|
|
Stephen Willis
Stephen has worked as a countryside ranger in Scotland since 2000 and is a trained moutain leader. His work has taken him from Loch Lomond to the Cairngorms, with a stint as warden of Scotland’s only marine reserve in between. He has also worked on Red Squirrels for Scottish Natural Heritage and Black Grouse for the RSPB. He has had a passion for all things wild since childhood and enjoys birding, rockpooling, a bit of botanising and hanging around seabird colonies!
|
|
Craig Round
With a great combination of field naturalist skills, outgoing personality and incredibly sharp eyes, Craig brings to each tour his enthusiasm and lively sense of humour (if you want tall-tales, he's got them!) as well as an astonishingly wide knowledge of birds, mammals and insects. He loves Speyside and the Scottish Islands, and has led tours here for over 12 years. He's also something of an eagle expert and his enthusiasm for nests, feathers, droppings and pellets is legendary!
|
|
Mark Denman
Mark and his family live in Kingussie, having moved from London five years ago. A passionate birder since childhood, his travels as a violinist have enabled him to watch birds all over the world. He has worked for the RSPB at Loch Garten on CaperWatch and taken part in survey work for Butterfly Scotland. When not watching birds, Mark can often be spotted on Speyside’s various golf courses!
|
|
Darren Rees
Known among Speyside Wildlife regulars for his boundless enthusiasm and ability to get across identification features clearly and simply, Darren is a great birder, and quite simply fun to be with on a Speyside Wildlife tour. Based in Stirling, he's co-led countless groups for us in Speyside, the Scottish islands and all around the world. 'Bird Impressions' is his acclaimed collection of bird paintings, he worked on 'Birds of the Western Palearctic' and writes for 'Birds Illustrated' - what a versatile man!
|
|
Christina Nicholson
Chrissie, a native ‘Geordie’, is full of enthusiasm and has an unequalled sense of humour and fun. She has gained her experience working as Information Warden for the RSPB on Shetland, Orkney then Lochwinnoch. Coupled with working with BTO Scotland and RPS Ecolological Consultants as a Field Ornithologist, she is your perfect guide to lead your through the ‘Speyside Wildlife Experience’. Widely travelled she has visited places in Europe, New Zealand, Ontartio and Vancouver Island.
“So howay lets get gannin!”
|
|
John Grierson
A native of Perthshire, John has lived in Aviemore for the past 22 years. Prior to becoming a Speyside Wildlife guide John was involved in wildlife crime investigation throughout the Highlands and was able to use his extensive knowledge of birds and animals to great advantage. An enthusiastic wildlife watcher he lists all creatures as his favourite.
|
|
Duncan Macdonald
With 15 years’ experience of leading wildlife watching groups in the Highlands, Duncan now spends most of his time working as a countryside ranger for the Highland Council, however he still finds time to lead tours for Speyside Wildlife. Originally from the Scottish Borders (though he claims kinship with the MacDonalds of the west Highlands!) he now lives in Kincraig. He has a background in environmental education and conservation, and as well as being an expert and friendly guide, his skills include playing bodhran and the guitar - but not both at the same time!
|
|
Julian Sykes
A native Yorkshireman, Julian has had a life-long interest in ornithology being the son of a still active birdwatcher. After six years of living in Kinross, Perthshire (one of his favourite places) he and his family moved to the Mediterranean coast of Spain, where he runs his own birdwatching tour company. He has a friendly outgoing nature along with a very keen interest in learning about other aspects of wildlife within Iberia.
|
|
Jonathan Willet
Jonathan grew up just outside Glasgow, harbouring ambitions to be the next David Attenborough. As this hasn't happened (yet) he has found something to do that is possibly better ... being a Speyside Wildlife wildlife guide! He finds all nature interesting and enjoys rooting out fascinating facts about our local wildlife to share with guests. He also likes Dragonflies ... a lot. Jonathan has two ologies, Zoo and Eco, and has been a wildlife guide for 14 years.
|
|
Stephen Rowland
Originally from London, Steve has worked all over the UK for the RSPB including a fondly remembered spell in the Highlands. For the last nine years he has been based in Norfolk and now works out of the Society's Norwich Office. Steve is an enthusiastic birdwatcher and wildlife photographer, his London roots show through in his continued support for Arsenal football club. He enjoys travel, red wine and other people's gardens. He co-authored 'Norfolk - A Birdwatcher's Site Guide' and is Chairman of the Oriental Bird Club.
|
|
Sharon Cairns
One half of Speyside Wildlife's talented duo of chefs, not only has Sharon's food won her great plaudits but she also manages many of the day-to-day workings of our Steading at Ballintean in the Cairngorms National Park. She has produced many of the wonderfully irresistible culinary creations that have expanded so many waistlines over the years! Guests always want to pop into the kitchen and, with husband Alan who helps to keep the show on the road, she lives on Rothiemurchus.
|
|
Darren Lenton
Darren is Sharon's son and claims he taught his mum everything she knows about fine cuisine. Whilst we don't want to get involved in a potential domestic dispute!, it's fair to say that his more reticent nature belies a skilled and creative talent as a chef, which is behind the smooth running of Speyside Wildlife's Steading kitchen at Ballintean in the Cairngorms National Park. He is a bit of a kitchen style guru with his chef outfits, plans out our brilliant menus for the year and lives in Kingussie.
|
|
Alan Cairns
Sharon's husband Alan can usually be found around the Steading, looking after the vehicles that keep us all in comfort on the road. By night, he steps just outside his front door to take on the role of guide at our Wildlife Watching Hide on Rothiemurchus. Alan helps out with such a multitude of things at Speyside Wildlife, that the call most frequently heard is “Has anyone seen Alan?”
|
|
Suzanne Dowden
Sally owns Speyside Wildlife and although no longer the voice you'll hear on the phone, is still very much hands on in the organisation. Responsible for the smooth running and complex logistics of the business, she has a real commitment to developing sustainable eco-tourism within the Cairngorms National Park. When not working, she is to be found enjoying the "to die for" views from her new home on the moor, outside Grantown on Spey.
|
|
Lisa Gunn
Lisa has been with Speyside Wildlife for several years now and has recently taken on the responsibility for all our overseas holidays, as well as some accounts work! She likes to be kept busy, but her attention to detail ensures that all our overseas trips run like clockwork. Having moved from Southern England to sleepy Applecross on the west coast of Scotland seven years ago, Lisa now lives in the slightly less isolated village of Carrbridge with her husband, daughter and various pets!
|
|
Susanne McCafferty
Susanne joined Speyside Wildlife after a career break to raise her three young children. Born and bred in Speyside, she previously worked for the British Association of Snowsport Instructors, helping to organise their numerous training courses, and is now dealing with all aspects of our Scottish holidays. She enjoys walking through her local woods and spending time with her children.
|
|
Donna MacPherson
Donna helps out with all aspects of Speyside Wildlife's marketing and sales. She is the life and soul of the office and keeps us all laughing, so it’s no surprise that she enjoys socialising with her friends in her spare time. Another local, born and bred in Boat of Garten, she now lives in Inverdruie, just up the road from our office ... she keeps the office running on snow days! She can often be spotted cycling to work, especially when the weather’s good!
|
|
Tania Pedersen
Tania is the newest member of Speyside Wildlife's office team and will be one of the voices you’ll hear when you call our office. She deals with all aspects of administration to ensure you have all the information you need for your holiday. She came to the area in the winter of 2001 to work for the ski season and has been here ever since! She is from Mallaig, on the west coast of Scotland, but now lives in Boat of Garten, where she enjoys cycling and walking through its many woodland paths.
|
|
Emma Blyth
Emma has lived in Speyside for over 7 years and has worked with Speyside Wildlife for most of that time! She now works for us part-time and is responsible for our marketing, including brochure and website development, newsletters etc. When she manages to find some spare time, she enjoys nothing more than getting up into the mountains on her snowboard or enjoying good seafood and whisky whilst camping on the West Coast.
|
|