Instructor Development Scheme
The Instructor Development Scheme’s (IDS) purpose is to support motivated individuals to develop their careers in the outdoors. This support includes National Governing Body (NGB) awards, and gaining experience of decision-making, coaching and leadership in the outdoors.
All IDS participants will have the opportunity to experience a year of training, personal development, and work experience at Glenmore Lodge, sportscotland’s National Outdoor Training Centre.
WE ARE NOW RECRUITING FOR 2024-25
Instructor Development Scheme (IDS)
Fixed-term contract April 2024 – April 2025, 20 hours per week
Based at Glenmore Lodge, Aviemore.
sportscotland is the national agency for sport in Scotland. Our vision is an active Scotland where everyone benefits from sport.
sportscotland Glenmore Lodge is Scotland’s National Outdoor Training Centre, where our aim is to offer world class training in outdoor adventure sports and encourage more people to enjoy the outdoors more often.
Glenmore Lodge is offering an exciting training scheme opportunity for four motivated individuals, aimed at supporting outdoor leaders and instructors in furthering their outdoor career to the next level.
This is a one-year programme for those suitably experienced and interested in developing their career as an outdoor instructor. We will provide opportunities to gain high level qualifications through both a tailored and mentored experience, along with peer learning, coaching/instructional placements and personal development. 
You will spend 20 hours per week contributing to the running of the Centre. The rest of the time will be a mix of programmed opportunities, self-programmed time to get out with peers and attend training/qualification courses.
In return for this opportunity, sportscotland expects the successful candidates to contribute to the operation of the Centre, primarily fulfilling key roles within the centre both at evening reception, overnight and a centre support role.
In accordance with the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007, placement in the scheme will be conditional on a successful applicant being able to obtain PVG membership (further details can be found here).
As part of the scheme, this role is paid at the Real Living Wage. (£10.90 per hour). As this is a residential appointment there will be a deduction of £257.50 (in 2023 subject to a small annual increase) per month for accommodation in the IDS staff house.
If you have any questions about the scheme, please review the information sheet, email [email protected] or call 01479 861256
To apply, please complete the Application Form attached and submit it with your application.
We are a Disability Confident employer. If you have any difficulties with your application because of a disability, please contact [email protected] and we will discuss how we can help you.
Application closing date: Wednesday 27 September 2023
Selection/Interviews will be held over five days w/c 30 October 2023
sportscotland – sport for life
MEET OUR NEW 2023-24 IDS
CAMERON BELL
I’m Cameron, originally from Inverness. Before starting the Instructor Development Scheme I studied Adventure Education at the School of Adventure Studies, UHI. Having loved the outdoors from an early age, I began mountain biking aged twelve and have since acquired a range of leadership qualifications. Over the last two summers I have enjoyed freelancing in this field, exposing people to the love of bikes! My motivations this year is to upskill in a variety of outdoor sports, and hopefully gain further qualifications including the Summer Mountain Leader
BETHANY CAROL
Hi I’m B! I’m from North Wales and grew up in a very outdoorsy family. We did loads of activities from a very young age and it stuck with me solidly! I raced kayaks for a few years, then went to university and joined the mountaineering club which became a huge part of my life. I’m a keen bean for everything and super excited to get involved with the loads of things that are going on here at the Lodge!
NAOMI DUNCAN
Hello, I’m Naomi! I was born and bred in the wild west … Fort William! My life so far has been one massive adventure and I’m not planning on changing that any time soon. I have set myself the goal this year of being able to back flip in at least one of the disciplines here at Glenmore Lodge… watch this space! I started my professional working journey as a PE teacher and 8 years later I decided to re-evaluate if that was the correct route for me. I was lucky enough to be accepted onto the IDS and I am beyond excited to find out where my career in the outdoors can grow to as a result. The outdoors is powerful and multifaceted, there is a place and purpose for everyone within it. Here’s to the future making the outdoors accessible to all!
GRAEME CATHCART
Hi, I’m Graeme! I grew up in Ayrshire and have been working as an engineer in Glasgow, designing offshore wind farms. I’ve come to Glenmore Lodge to leave the desk behind and kick start a career in the Scottish outdoor industry. My first foray into the outdoors was in whitewater kayaking in high school. I loved it and started competing and travelling all over the country to go paddling. I now spend as much time in Scotland’s mountains as I can and I’m really excited to start working in an environment I’m passionate about!
2022-23 IDS
CALLUM HARRISON
Before I started at the Lodge, I was a climbing instructor and route setter at a climbing centre in Northampton. I am originally from Northamptonshire, and I was a customer at that centre for years before I worked there.
MEG BOWN
Hi I’m Meg, I’m from North Wales and before starting at the Lodge I worked at Plas Menai doing an Instructor Development Program, similar to the Lodge but more water based with activities such as sailing, windsurfing, foiling and paddling of course! I did enjoy most of the water side but found that I enjoy the mountaineering side of things a lot more and wanted to pursue that down the line. And then I saw the Instructor Development Scheme at the Lodge!
KYLE ORMISTON
I’m Kyle! I grew up in a very outdoorsy family, and my parents became outdoor instructors whilst I was in high school. I wanted to branch off and do something different, but when I moved to Edinburgh to do Psychology, I quickly realised that it wasn’t right for me. I decided to sack that off and embark on a year’s volunteering journey with Project Trust where I ended up teaching geography and science in Guyana. After countless adventures there, I returned to the UK and I’m excited to be embarking on my next lot of adventures at Glenmore Lodge!
MATTHEW SCOTT
I’m Matthew, originally from County Armagh, Northern Ireland. For the last seven years I worked as a National Trust Ranger in Northern Ireland – a job that involved nature conservation, environmental education and facilitating public access to the outdoors. Currently, my main outdoor pursuits are hillwalking and paddlesports, but over the course of the next year I plan to throw myself into everything the Lodge has to offer so as to try out new things, develop a wide-ranging skillset, and discover new interests!
JESS CHARLESWORTH
Before starting at the Lodge, I completed my degree in Marine and Natural History Photography and since graduating I worked a variety of interesting jobs including Paddlesports Assistant, Photography Teacher, and a Santa’s Lapland Ranger!