John Muir Trust

June 23 2010

Northshots has become a corporate supporter of the John Muir Trust. JMT is the leading wild land conservation charity in the UK. Inspired by the work, spirit and legacy of John Muir, the Trust owns and manages some of Scotland's wildest areas, as well as campaigning for the conservation of wild land and wild places throughout the country.

One of the Trust's most impressive achievements is the John Muir Award which encourages awareness and responsibility for nature in young people. 100,000 awards have been given out to date.

www.jmt.org

NEW FRONTIERS

April 23 2010

There are still a few tickets available for the NEW FRONTIERS show at Aviemore Hilton Coylumbridge Hotel on Sat. May 8th. This presentation is part of the John Muir Trust AGM and is their annual 'Spririt of the Wild' lecture, but is available to anyone so do pop along and say hello!

Bookings at: http://www.jmt.org/gathering10.asp#Spirit%20of%20the%20Wild%20Places%20Lecture

The most precious of assets

February 11 2010

For the last few days, a young and aspiring nature photographer joined our Winter Wildlife photo-tour to 'see how it was done.' I'm not sure he achieved that, but many of the group remarked on his ability to effectively interact and engage with people.

Once guests had left this morning, I high-tailed down to Pitlochry, met with colleague Niall Benvie and we jointly met with the CEO of the John Muir Trust to discuss how we might enliven their strategic vision in the form of a full colour brochure.

Both experiences underline the importance of relationships. It is solidly-based relationships that nurture personal trust and at a business level, integrity. These relationships - with photo-tour guests, with colleagues and with individuals within the scientific and conservation sectors - are my most precious of assets. They take years to form and develop and there are no shortcuts.

Imagine then my sensitivity to these relationships being threatened. A few years ago, one such relationship (with a forester) lead me to a wonderful site where I have photographed a 'rogue' capercaillie - some of the images have been posted on this blog. In recent weeks, I've been made aware of certain photographers trying to establish where this site is - none of them have approached me directly, but have contacted friends and colleagues behind my back. I'm precious about this site - not only because of the sensitivity of the bird, but because of the erosion of the trust placed in me by my forester friend.

So a plea: respect my relationship with and within my local and professional community. If you want to know where the site is, ask me - don't embarrass others. If I trust you, I might help you.

Spirit of Wild Places.

January 12 2010

I'm pleased to be delivering The Spirit of Wild Places lecture at the John Muir Trust AGM on Sat. 8th May in Aviemore (conveniently). The show, NEW FRONTIERS, will include early coverage of the wildlife found close to home followed by a journey - both physical and spiritual - of how my photography - but more importantly my perspective - has changed during the last decade or so.

Non JMT members are welcome. Bookings can be made online at www.jmt.org