About Me
I grew up in Kemnay, Aberdeenshire, beside the banks of the River Don, in an area known as the Garioch, a scenic district between the Grampian Mountains and the coastline. From an early age, I’ve always had a fascination with wildlife and the great outdoors. We’d visit my Auntie Peg and Uncle John who used to live in Rhodesia, South-Central Africa, before returning back to Scotland. They showed and gave me photographs of the amazing wildlife of Africa; I think this was what ignited my passion for wildlife and nature.
But it wasn’t until my uncle Mike Herd, an award winning wildlife cameraman, invited me to assist him whilst filming Derek Robertson Artist painting mountain hares and ptarmigan up in the hills around Glenshee, that my passion for the great outdoors really begun; despite the basic clothing I was wearing, and the harsh winter conditions at the time.
School was never my thing, and I left not really knowing what direction I would pursue or what life had planned out for me. I eventually started an apprenticeship as a Carpenter & Joiner, and worked as this for a number of years. Most weekends and evenings were spent in the great outdoors; I hope none of my previous employers read this, but there might have been a few extra days off for mountaineering and skiing over the years… These are stories to be told another day.
In 1993 I joined Aberdeen Mountain Rescue Team, and spent 18 amazing years with the team, regularly training in Summer & Winter conditions on the Cairngorm plateau, Glenshee and Royal Lochnagar. It was during this time that I started to show a keen interest in photography and purchased my first decent camera and lens, a Pentax. Unfortunately it wasn’t built for the harsh mountain weather we used to experience and many of my new cameras have followed suit! During this time, I also went down the route of obtaining some outdoor qualifications, and after lots of training and many days out on the hills, I obtained my Summer Mountain Leader and Winter Mountain Leader awards through Mountain Training Scotland.
in 1998, I sat my hgv class 1, thinking I’d get lots of opportunity to travel and explore, the reality was very different, so this led me to sub-contracting, which then allowed me more time in the outdoors. In 2011, we decided to move to Cromdale, beside Grantown on Spey, but sadly I fell ill, a week before we were due to move. After a prolonged period of illness, I was able to start venturing back out, and it was during this time, I started spending more of my time out with the camera, exploring the Cairngorms National Park, one of the most outstanding places for wildlife and nature.
It was also during my time living in the Cairngorms National Park, I turned my camera towards the night sky and started capturing the Northern lights and the Milky Way. In 2018 the Cairngorms National Park received its International Dark Sky Park status, this means it has some of the darkest skies in the UK, making it perfect for stargazing.
In 2017, we moved to our current location in Alness, Ross-shire, next to the Cromarty Firth, giving me the perfect location, to reach most parts of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. The next chapter of my life has evolved, and I am now venturing into photography and guiding to share my knowledge and experience with other like-minded wildlife and nature enthusiasts, no matter what skill set.
I have had a number of images published in various newspaper and magazines over the years, and also had some of my video work featured on Secret Scotland with Susan Calman at Dunnet Head, back in 2020.
What People Are Saying
Reviews
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I have had the pleasure of spending four days with Ian, three on the Isle of Mull and one in the Cairngorms. Ian’s knowledge is endless having spent so many years in both places.
On Mull we asked to see White-tailed Eagles, Short-eared Owls, Hen Harriers and if he could rustle up Golden Eagles then that would be great, never expecting to see the later.
We had a fabulous three days where he literally ticked off all on our list, including a nesting Golden Eagle. But not just those, there were endless views of so much more, Rutting Stags, Irish hare, Puffins, Grey Wagtails, Cuckoo and a beautiful Dipper in the most incredible beach waterfall. A mother Otter with her young pup and a mountain climb to see the Treshnish isles and a stunning sunset.
You will learn about the area and history, flora and fauna and of course the fur and feathered creatures. Getting close, but with respect. You will be taught how to read the animal and learn its body language so you can appreciate it in its natural environment and leave it where you found it with no disturbance.
If Puffins are your thing, Ian the Puffin-man is your guy, along with ellusive Corncrakes.
In the Cairngorms he was tasked in the winter months to show us a Mountain Hare in its winter coat. With the athleticism of a mountain goat, he located two, then safely and slowly got us to a position where we had wonderful views of them. He educated us on their behaviour and what to look for before a little bit of movement got us the perfect shots.
Having spent time with Ian I can honestly recommend him for any age group of party. He is very funny and makes you feel at ease. The biggest quality I believe he has is the respectful way he navigates different generations. My 86 year old mother had a day travelling with us and he showed her things she could see from the car. He had her fully engaged and in stitches of laughter but never once with inappropriate narratives.
Ian is a true gentleman whose knowledge knows no bounds. You will thoroughly enjoy the time you spend with him from arranged, to bespoke days.
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I have had the priviledge to be out and about with Ian over the years, and have had some spectacular wildlife encounters I wouldn’t have had without him. The knowledge he’s gained over the years is pretty amazing and he’s always been happy to share with others (maybe not all locations of wildlife, but that is to safeguard their welfare). He is known to be a bit mischevious at times, but takes his field craft seriously. Comes with the highest recommendation from me.