Staff Profiles

Niall Urquhart

It is a great privilege to be part of the Stramash team. The dedicated staff and volunteers who are part of Stramash, all believe in using the outdoors to help facilitate life changing experiences in the lives of the people we work with. It is exciting being part of a young and dynamic organisation that is striving to be the best it can be and to make the biggest difference it possibly can.

Being in the outdoors has always been a passion of mine and I greatly enjoy introducing others to the outdoors and using the outdoors to help make a difference in people’s lives. I have worked in the outdoors for over 10 years and am qualified in a wide range of activities including hillwalking, rock climbing, mountain biking, skiing, sailing, canoeing and orienteering.

Helping Stramash grow and develop over the coming years is the focus of my work, enabling the organisation to positively impact even more people. Working with a range of partner organisations to help implement a variety of projects and activities is a great pleasure. But the most fulfilling part of my work is seeing the difference Stramash makes to people’s lives. As our motto says, we are here to inspire life through adventure.

 

Gordon Smith

Having worked, studied and played in the outdoors for over fourteen years, I’m happy to say that I still have the same love and belief in Outdoor Education now that I’ve always had.  I have worked in roles as diverse as personal development courses and wilderness journeys through to working in secondary schools and residential centres.  In all these settings I have seen outdoor experiences as fantastic opportunities for people to learn more about themselves, others and the world around them.  Being able to facilitate this learning and see it taking place is what has kept me interested in the profession.

Through my time in the outdoors I have been lucky enough to try many different sports, as well as gain experience and qualifications in them.  My own pastimes centre around winter mountaineering in the colder months and mountain biking during the (supposedly!) warmer and drier months.  As well as these sports I enjoy climbing, canoeing and hill walking, basically whatever adventures my trusty Transit van will take me on!

The Senior Instructor position with Stramash promises to allow me to combine my love of working with groups in the outdoors alongside the opportunity to develop the organisation and its staff team.  This seems particularly true at a time where Stramash has so many possibilities and projects taking off, and I look forward to being able to help them go from strength to strength inspiring people’s lives through adventure!

 

Aileen Watkins

I am responsible for setting up Stramash Adventure Clubs across Argyll and Bute for primary school aged children, as well as developing Forest Schools and implementing outdoor learning programmes with schools.

The Adventure Clubs will be a place where young people can get to know their local outdoor spaces through adventurous, creative free play activity.

I think Stramash offers a wealth of fantastic opportunities for children and adults, encouraging them to enjoy and engage with the amazing outdoor environment we have on our doorstep in Argyll.  These are the type of experiences that inspire and last for a lifetime.

I’m a primary school teacher by profession and have been involved in a variety of other roles trying to encourage schools and young people to get outside and enjoy all that our great outdoors has to offer.

Over the next year I hope to become qualified as a Forest School Leader and help Stramash expand the outdoor play & learning aspect of the organisation.

So far my highlights from working for Stramash are dinghy sailing in Oban bay and eating prawns cooked outdoors on the beach by the children in Luing Adventure Club.

In my spare time I enjoy long walks, interesting cycles and anything water-related!

 

Andrew Head

It has been great to join the Stramash team in providing exciting opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to try a wide range of outdoor activities, to learn new skills, to challenge themselves beyond their perceived limits and to explore some amazing and beautiful places.

I have worked outdoors for many years in agriculture and forestry and relish the opportunity to help others to experience and enjoy the great outdoors. I have joined the Stramash team as the Safety and Equipment Coordinator, supporting the staff in providing fantastic activities for our clients in a safe manner. I am also responsible for the organisation and day to day maintenance of all our outdoor equipment-ensuring we can continue to provide quality activities with first class equipment. 

As well as the safety and maintenance work I particularly enjoy instructing some activities such as sharing bushcraft skills with a group, helping children produce imaginative “wild art” and getting into the thick of the bog trotting games - often literally!

In my spare time I enjoy orienteering, cycling and kayaking with my family.

 

Bruce Griffiths

I first came in contact with Stramash when I took part in the Calendoian Crossing in 2006. I went on several other courses and expeditions before starting to volunteer on courses and programmes and working behind the scenes in the stores. I then went on to complete an eight month outdoor instructor apprenticeship at Stramash. Now I am at University in Dundee studying Mechanical Engineering and still regularly work for Stramash on some of the programmes and courses.

Stramash is a marvelous organisation that has helped me develop in more ways than one and I think the same can be said of many others who have come into contact with Stramash, whether that be through the summer programme or one of the many other courses the organisation runs. Working at Stramash has given me the opportunity to introduce the sports and activities I love doing to others, meet and work with fantastic people and see lots of amazing places around Scotland.

In my own time time I can normally be found out kayaking on the local rivers or out on my road bike in summer.

 

Keith Davis

I work as an instructor in canoeing, kayaking, hillwalking, climbing, orienteering and skiing. I see the outdoors as a tool to develop people’s confidence in themselves, social interaction and to develop their physical skills. It is not just activities, but a means to personal development. I enjoy seeing people develop regardless of age, ability and background and have seen many occasions where those that are less able in other areas of life thrive in the outdoor environment.

I have a good range of experience gained with a wide range of groups and a number of outdoor centres over 15 years. I have a passion for the outdoors and seek any opportunity to participate myself.  Because of this I feel able to enthuse others to seek out their own adventure and learning.   

Stramash is a great place to work. It certainly does inspire life through adventure and I greatly enjoy being part of it. 

 

Tony Powell

I live in Oban and work as a mountaineering instructor. As well as having a great passion for the mountains of Scotland, I enjoy instructing and coaching others the skills of being in the mountains. I have spent some time training the Stramash apprentice instructors in these skills and have really enjoyed seeing them develop.

I have climbed and guided all over the UK and now lead expeditions to the Alps, South America, Kilimanjaro, and the Indian Himalayas.

I am a volunteer with the Oban Mountain Rescue Team and have taken on the role as training officer for the team.

My qualifications include summer and winter mountaineering, rock climbing and emergency medical technician. I also enjoy a variety of other activities and am currently developing my water based qualifications.

 

Leonie Palmer

I am an experienced outdoor instructor and work for outdoor organisations in different parts of the world. I have been involved with Stramash for over five years and lead a variety of courses and expeditions for Stramash.

I enjoy working for Stramash and being in Oban, although it’s not quite as warm as Spain or South America! Leading expeditions is something I really enjoy doing. You also might find me out in a sea kayak, on a bike or climbing on a crag. Working with both adults and young people is really enjoyable. I like passing on skills and helping people progress and develop. Hopefully see you out on a course or expedition soon.