I am now retired after a career spent largely in public sector nature conservation. When I undertook my Fellowship in 2001, I was an advisory officer with Scottish Natural Heritage (now NatureScot) on upland land management issues. One major issue concerned the impacts of wild deer on upland vegetation. In order to inform this work, I travelled to the USA and New Zealand to look at the management of deer and other large herbivores in two countries with very different approaches.

I have used the information gained during my Fellowship to inform not only my professional work but also the inputs I make to conservation initiatives in a voluntary capacity – which continues in retirement. I am still in touch with some of the people I met on my travels, who have become friends. I also value the interaction with other Fellows through the Scottish Fellows' network. Interesting conversations are guaranteed, with people who are experts in fields you may not have known existed.