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.
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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!
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Stephen Willis
Steve came into guiding having worked as a Countryside Ranger for 7 years. His work has taken him all over Scotland from the high tops of the Cairngorms to the sea cliffs of the Berwickshire coast. A qualified mountain leader Steve loves getting out and exploring Scotland – always with his bins handy! Outside the guiding season Steve works on conservation projects such as Black Grouse for the RSPB and Res Squirrels for SNH. He is also a ringer with Grampian Ringing Group in his hometown of Aberdeen.
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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 15 years. He's also something of an eagle expert and his enthusiasm for nests, feathers, droppings and pellets is legendary!
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Mark Denman
Mark and his family live in Kingussie, having moved from London eight 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!
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Darren Rees
Known among 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 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!
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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 Experience’. Widely travelled
she has visited places in Europe, New Zealand, Ontartio and Vancouver Island.
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John Grierson
A native of Perthshire, John has lived in Aviemore for the past 25 years. Prior
to becoming a 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.
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Duncan Macdonald
With 16 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!
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Julian Sykes
Julian is a native Yorkshireman now living near Valencia in Spain after several years in Scotland. He has had a life-long interest in wildlife, with a particular focus on birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and butterflies and now runs his own small wildlife tour business with his partner Jane. He has a very friendly out-going nature that guests appreciate, making him a very popular guide and an ideal member of the team.
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Sharon Cairns
One half of our 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 in Kincraig.
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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. Alan helps out with such a
multitude of things at Speyside Wildlife, that the call most frequently heard is
“Has anyone seen Alan?”
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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.
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Lisa Gunn
Lisa has been with us for 6 years now and, as well as managing the day to day accounts, she shares the responsibility of organising all our foreign holidays with Tania. She likes to be kept busy and her attention to detail ensures that our overseas trips run like clockwork. Having moved from South East England to sleepy Applecross on the west coast of Scotland nine years ago, Lisa now lives in the slightly less isolated village of Carrbridge with her husband, teenage daughter and moggie!
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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.
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Donna MacPherson
Donna is the voice you will most often hear when you call Speyside Wildlife HQ and, as well as dealing with our hide and day guiding bookings, she also helps out with our sales and marketing. 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 has recently bought her first home, in Aviemore.
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Tania Pedersen
Tania is another of the voices you’ll hear when you call our office and she
deals with all aspects of administration to ensure you have all the information
you need for your holiday. Along with Lisa, she also shares the responsibility
for organising all our foreign holidays. Tania first 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 Carrbridge with
her boyfriend.
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John Picton
A recent addition to the Speyside Wildlife team, John has taken over the guiding for the evening mammal hide and day guiding trips. With over 30 years birding and natural history experience, John obtained his BSC (Hons) in wildlife ecology conservation and management, before working with the Forestry Commission and RSPB. A self confessed wildlife ‘nut’, he enjoys nothing more in his spare time than walking and birding, followed by a refreshing pint of Scottish ale.
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Brian Webb
Brian moved to Grantown on Spey seven years ago, after a long association with Speyside. Prior to joining Speyside Wildlife, Brian worked at a very busy local restaurant. Alongside colleague Sharon, Brian enjoys the challenges of using locally sourced produce and, using his knowledge and enthusiasm, aims to give guests a memorable stay. Away from the Steading he enjoys walking, sampling the local beer and training his two dogs.
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