As Principal Teacher, Liz is responsible for managing and developing East Lothian Council’s Outdoor Learning Service.  The service uses the outdoor environment and adventure sport as an approach to delivering the Curriculum for Excellence across all schools in East Lothian. Liz is responsible for the safety management of adventurous off-site visits across the authority.

Liz sits on the executive committee for the Scottish Advisory Panel for Outdoor Education (SAPOE).

Martyn is one of East Lothian Council’s Outdoor Learning Service Teachers. Responsibilities include providing adventurous activities that deliver the Curriculum for Excellence across all schools in East Lothian. This may be through working directly with groups, mentoring teachers and community group leaders or delivering National Governing Body Awards as CLPL courses.

Jamie is a Teacher for East Lothian Council’s Outdoor Learning Service. Amongst other things he delivers outdoor and adventurous activities that support the Curriculum for Excellence. This is achieved through helping to develop and run Outdoor Learning Programmes including AWE and ACE-escape, supporting teaching staff to develop a sustainable approach to Outdoor Learning and being a Teacher in residence; working directly with groups in schools across East Lothian.

Keith is in charge of making sure everyone knows where they’re supposed to be, that bookings are dealt with promptly and that any kit doesn’t go walk about.  Due to his water-based qualifications he is sometimes called upon to assist the other instructors and is involved with the Ross High School ASN department.

Blair Aitken is an associate instructor and teacher. Blair is a keen cyclist who has worked in the outdoors for over twenty years. Blair has a very wide range of experience through his extensive ski and mountain bike guiding experience.

Bio. coming soon...

Philippa is an associate instructor supporting Bikeability, Duke of Edinburgh, orienteering and other outdoor learning activities.  Being the East Lothian Bikeability Coordinator she is the first point of contact for anyone wanting to get their school involved with Bikeability, become a volunteer, or just find out more about the programme. Philippa is also a MiDAS trainer/assessors for East Lothian Council and a Cycling Scotland Tutor.

Craig is one of East Lothian Council’s Outdoor Learning Service Teachers. Responsibilities include providing adventurous activities that deliver the Curriculum for Excellence across all schools in East Lothian. This may be through working directly with groups, mentoring teachers and community group leaders.

Bio. coming soon...

Andy has over forty years of mountaineering experience, he’s walked and climbed in every corner of Scotland; even being obsessive-compulsive enough to complete all 282 Munros in 2005.  Overseas he’s trekked, climbed, biked and ski-toured in North America, Mexico, The Alps, Norway, New Zealand, Iceland, Nepal and China.

Andy works part-time at the Outdoor Learning Service and fills the rest of his time through his own company leading expeditions and delivering training.  His summer overseas work normally includes leading treks in some of the most stunning areas of the French, Italian and Swiss Alps.

His perfect day out  … “an early Spring day on a Scottish mountain;  backcountry skiing, or a classic the rock-climb. Nothing beats a big mountain adventure in good company.”

Bio. coming soon...

After a couple of years as a Geophysicist in Antarctica, Dave settled down and taught Outdoor Education for the rest of his working life at Dunbar Grammar, Preston Lodge and finally for East Lothian Outdoor Education which subsequently became the Outdoor Learning Service.  He retired in 2005 and does some voluntary work in the outdoors for a number of charities. He also enjoys visiting the wild and lonely places in Scotland which often involving backpacking or kayaking trips. He works occasionally as an associate instructor for the Outdoor Learning Service. He particularly enjoys working with groups in our wonderful countryside and is a firm believer in the positive benefits they gain from this, not just in terms of environmental awareness, but also in their own personal development.

After volunteering with the team during his school years James moved on to complete his degree in Outdoor Education and Learning. During this time, he has gained a good variety of outdoor activity qualifications.

Alongside this James works as an arborist allowing him to bring his skills and knowledge into our tree climbing and bushcraft sessions. He is also an enthusiastic DofE supervisor, having completed all three levels of the award himself, rock climber and paddler.

Lynne is passionate about helping people of all ages and abilities to get outside and enjoy nature responsibly whether through DofE expeditions, cycling, walking, paddling or just a couple of hours in the woods. She also enjoys teaching the basics of indoor climbing and is one of our MiDAS trainers.

Having recently retired from his career as a depute head teacher, Robert is an occasional Associate Outdoor Instructor, focussing on supporting Duke of Edinburgh expeditions.

Douglas has been volunteering with the Bikeability team since his retirement and was Highly Commended in the 'Instructor of the Year' category at the Bikeability Scotland Awards 2023.

Angie is an associate instructor with an Early Years background.  She loves getting out and about in the great outdoors, often on her bike and teaching others to cycle.  Whether they’re 3 or 63, that first time pedalling is a magical moment!

Angie spent 14 years as a volunteer team member with Border Search and Rescue Unit. 

Simon has a background in Primary education while supporting East Lothian Council Outdoor Learning Service as an associated instructor. He has long held beliefs in promoting outdoor learning for all and has experience working with ASN

Claire is an Associate Instructor who has a passion for taking the learning outdoors and supporting people to access amazing outdoor experiences.

She has a particular focus on supporting young people with additional support needs to access outdoor activities.

Tina is a chartered primary teacher who takes learning outdoors whenever possible!

In her role as Forest School Leader, she works hard to encourage all teachers to use the outdoors as a learning environment, both onsite at school and off site in the amazing wild spaces we have here in East Lothian. 

When not teaching Tina is a guide leader who loves camping and bushcraft. She is a avid hill walker and a passionate surfski paddler. She also gets back to nature with her bees. 

Victoria O’Neill is an associate instructor with Outdoor Learning Service with responsibility for First Aid and Mental Health training. Alongside this she works part time as a primary school teacher and also runs her own training company. Victoria has many years experience in the First Aid sector, having been an instructor and event first aider for British Red Cross and a first responder with Scottish Ambulance Service. 

John is an associate instructor for us with a background in all things outdoors. He currently works delivering a range of outdoor activities, ranging from traditional mountain-based ones to paddling. He is an active member of a Scottish Mountain Rescue Team and this informs the First Aid instruction that he does for us. He is a fully registered teacher and is involved in delivering the Duke of Edinburgh’s award.  He assists in the delivery of leadership training using the outdoors as a medium, although he is more often to be found delivering first aid courses for us at our Musselburgh base.

Bio. coming Soon...

Debbie Riley is an Associate Outdoor Instructor; teaching indoor and outdoor rock climbing, hill walking, navigation and Bikeability

Bio. coming soon...

Hanne is the PE Specialist in East Lothian and an Associate Outdoor Instructor and she is a strong advocate for taking learning outdoors whenever possible. Hanne is involved in delivering the Targeted Outdoor Programme ‘Adventure On’ on Mondays and likes to volunteer with ‘Venturing Out’ on the Lagoons when possible.

I have been working in outdoor education for most of my career, starting out working for Edinburgh council on the west coast at Benmore outdoor centre. From then I have gone on to work all across Scotland and the north of England. I have always had a passion for being outside, in my spare time I kayak, river and sea, rock climb and hill walk.

Antony has spent the last 15 years trying to convince people that playing outdoors is a proper job.

With a teaching background and extensive orienteering experience, Sheila volunteers for the Outdoor Learning Service. Sheila maps and updates the orienteering maps of the school grounds and public parks across the county. Sheila also runs and helps run orienteering activities for schools.

With a teaching background and extensive orienteering experience, Robin volunteers for the Outdoor Learning Service.  Robin is the Sport Ident expert!

Fiona is a primary teacher with a passion for taking learning and teaching outside.

Committed to helping to connect our young people better with natural world in order that they will learn to love it and enjoy all it has to offer responsibly.

When not teaching likes to spend time outside doing anything active but especially running, cycling and swimming in the sea.