Katie White (Class Teacher - Bun Sgoil Taobh na Pairce)

 

We have been very fortunate to work with Alastair since our school opened in August 2013.  He has given us many, many hours of his time helping us to deliver outdoor learning in our local area and on a residential trip to Comrie.

 

Alasdair is a very experienced practioner and was extremely flexible and easy to work with.  He had a very good knowledge of the curriculum for excellence and was able to tie in the work done outdoors to this in a meaningful way.  We built an excellent working relationship and we were able to do some very productive collaborative planning together.  He used some simple ideas that were easy for us as teachers to take and use in our own practice and also led on more ambitious activities that an average teacher would find very intimidating.  He has a vast knowledge of wildlife and conservation issues which enhances his practice.  We work here in a bi-lingual environment and Alistair was very flexible and sensitive to this at all times.  He showed a good knowledge of Gaelic Culture and made a great effort to learn the vocabulary he may need before meeting us.

 

We would highly recommend working with Alistair to bring meaningful Outdoor Learning into your school or organisation. 

 

Ellie Coats www.elliesyoga.co.uk

 

I contacted Alastair after seeing a poster of his advertising clan craft skills at Comrie Croft. My goal for my yoga retreat was to encourage participants to get into the landscape and Alastair provided that and far more.

 

In our initial email conversation, his deep love and passion for his work quickly became evident and when I explained what sort of event I was running he was quickly able to provide a plan for what he thought best. 

 

Having arrived early to set up his equipment, he met us and first quizzed us on what Gaelic words we knew in common English usage. Our group consisted largely of academic over-achievers who loved this introduction! After this, we walked away from the Croft into a bit of woodland where Alastair schooled us on different methods of lighting fires and what sort of fuel to collect in order to do so. One of our number was particularly interested in learning how to make fire simply using two sticks and Alastair went out of his way to describe and demonstrate and then get us to have a go at this method.

 

When the fires were lit, Alastair played the bard and we were treated to Scottish myths and stories accompanied by music - a very lovely and hypnotic experience.

 

I would highly recommend Alastair's sessions to anyone interested in learning a bit more about Scotland's landscape and history and the practical skills of survival within it. His teaching is detailed, interesting and extremely accessible and I look forward to booking further sessions with him in the future!"

 

Comments from Residential @ Comrie Croft

 

Accommodation was good

Travel to and from school very easy- not too long on the bus.

Food good but portions could be larger after working outside all day.

 

Alastair Davidson’s organisation of the trip was excellent.

The instructors he organised were excellent- activities fun, relevant, good knowledge of  subjects , ability to deliver in Gaidhlig

 

Excellent links to CfE, -Outdoor learning, Cooperative learning, Active Learning. Cross curricular links-Literacy/ Social subjects, Health and Wellbeing, Science, Maths, Expressive Arts

 

Graeme Stark (Rocket Cafe Teambuilding)

 

Organisation – tight time line but all completed as discussed and requested

Approachable – Alistair was very approachable , helpful and understanding. Our group wasn’t best equipped with jackets etc but we did not feel harassed or embarrassed. He gave us the option of coats later on. It might be an idea to have a back up jacket/ warm jumper just incase it is cold.

Safe yet exciting – Alistair took time to show us how to cut wood and build the shelter. We did it in great time and he helped us get it done in time. Perhaps the health & safety part might be improved, They were a bit scared of the big knife!  perhaps each team could get the knife and clippers so everyone learned how to use them not just the brave ones! Or something to that effect. On the day we had no teams as not all turned up.

 

Navigation – I’ll always remember the 1km blindfold!

Making fire – really happy we had time t do this – Alistair got a fire going which was a good idea as we would have taken ages!

Shelter bulding – great fun for the team and they felt really proud of their effort

 

Perhaps a car sticker or badge to say we have completed the bushcraft evening. I think it would have been cherished. Also perhaps a small information sheet on what we have learnt or what is coming up in the future events etc. know ali is all over it but just a suggestion!

Our team arrived in drinking wear! Perhaps a bag of warm clothes by the shelter building would be a good idea. I told all my team but temperature was very different up there

 

To be honest really enjoyed the whole evening and so did our team.  So can’t say that anything else should be improved