On leaving school in 1977 I started as an apprentice gardener with Falkirk council. Subsequently I went to college to study horticulture and spent a practical middle year on an apple orchard in the Loire valley, so starting a liking for France and her people. Following this I worked as a practical gardening/arboriculture instructor at several colleges before returning to practical gardening at Inverewe gardens, Threave gardens then as head gardener at House of Dun. I also spent 13 years as head gardener Findrack estate on Deeside before returning to work in France as a gardener for 6 years. Eventually I returned to my native Scotland to be head gardener at Stirling Castle conducting many of the request tours of the grounds and gardens. Through all these years of travelling I've also kept my love for history, hill walking, reading non-fiction and cycling.