Biography
Born in Montrose on the East Coast of Scotland and mostly brought up there, I speak and understand Doric, the language of the East Coast. I studied at Glasgow University, gaining a 2:1 Honours Degree in English and French. As part of the course, I spent a year in France and am still fluent enough in French. After an assortment of jobs, I became an English Teacher in 1984 and worked first at Jordanhill College School then at Queen Victoria School in Dunblane, a military boarding school, where I was Head of English and also took on various Housemaster roles. I ran the school drama club as well. I retired from there in 2021. During my time there I worked with the Dunblane St Blane's Drama Group for many years and since retiral have become a member of the Edzell Drama Society. I am currently writing a new pantomime for them for later this year. I recently worked as an extra in a Bollywood production down in Ayrshire. I was one of the extras there who sang your praises as an agency and suggested I get in touch.
In 2016 I had a triple heart bypass operation but have made a full recovery since then and I am just about as fit as I was twenty years ago.
Skills
I was a very successful teacher and Housemaster so have the skills to communicate clearly with, manage and get on with all sorts of people.
I have always been keen on the outdoors and am working on climbing all the Scottish Munro Mountains; I became of Duke of Edinburgh Award Assessor while at Queen Victoria School, which involves being expert in navigation and being able to train and lead groups in the wild. Training in First Aid was part of that, but my qualification in First Aid has now lapsed (only lasts 3 years).
As well as a decent fluency in French I have a smattering of German (studied at University, and still using it from time to time).
Since retiring I bought a motorhome and my wife and I have spent some time exploring Scotland further. As well as hillwalking I like swimming, canoeing and cycling. I have always kept myself fit and work out with weights three or four times a week.