Meet the 2025-26 Instructor Development Scheme
Every year, April sees a new team arrive for our annual Instructor Development Scheme (IDS). This year we welcomed Jonathan, Meg, Dan, & Rich to Glenmore Lodge, and they’ve been busy getting settled in and finding their feet over the last few weeks. To help introduce them to you, we asked them a few questions about their journeys so far and plans for the year ahead.
Jonathan Shipp
What has your journey looked like up to this point?
I first started my outdoor career as a trainee at Ridgway Adventure in the far North West, and fell in love with it all at once. After a busy season, and an even busier off-season of ticket collecting, including a month-long expedition across Scotland to get all my Mountain Leader QMDs in one hit, I went back for a second season as a full-blown Instructor. Since then, I’ve been a maths teacher for a UK ski school in Austria, and most recently worked a season in the Lake District, before finally returning to Scotland.
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Why did you apply for the Instructor Development Scheme?
I knew I wanted to cross the gap from the work I was currently doing to being ready for working on some bigger adventures. To do that, I knew I needed three things: more experience, more qualifications, and most importantly, I needed to meet more people in the outdoor industry. To me, the Instructor Development Scheme was the best possible way to do that.
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What are you looking forward to most about your year at Glenmore Lodge?
Some big days out! I can’t wait to get on some big expeditions and big days. My favourite is a multi-discipline day, boating or biking into some epic mountain crag with a late-night bivvy after climbing is the perfect day in the hills for me. Winter is a pretty unknown quantity for me, so I’m incredibly excited to dive into some winter walking, climbing, and skiing.
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Do you have any goals in mind for the year ahead?
My priority is to get in as much training and learning as possible. A big goal for me while I am here is my Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor training – I can’t believe I am even contemplating it, before coming here I thought it would be years down the line but now I’m aiming for this summer. I also finally want to learn to roll, I’ve been delaying that for long enough now!
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Megan Strong
What has your journey looked like up to this point?
I first found indoor bouldering in 2018 and from that point on I was hooked. With no awareness about what an outdoor Instructor was, but knowing I was passionate about the outdoors, I decided to move my life from my hometown of Coventry to the South Lakes. I started an outdoor level 3 instructor apprenticeship at YMCA Lakeside where I learnt to trad climb, walked up my first mountain, and paddled in all crafts for the first time. After the 14 months were over, I had passed my Rock Climbing Instructor, Paddlesports Instructor, PB2 and done my Mountain Leader training as well has gaining a year of experience working with groups.
In May 2023 I passed my Mountain Leader assessment whilst working as a high rope’s Instructor in north Cumbria. Wanting to start the process of moving to Scotland, I participated in the Outward Bound Women in Outdoor Leadership course at Loch Eil in October 2023. With some time out spent travelling around Southeast Asia at the start of 2024, I came back to the UK ready for a summer season working up in Shieldaig, Torridon as a freelance RCI and ML. And as of March 31st 2025, I am now 1 of 4 on the Glenmore Lodge IDS!
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Why did you apply for the Instructor Development Scheme?
Honestly, I was unsure on what the next steps in my career were, but knowing I wanted to be up in Scotland (specifically in the Highlands) and wanted to dedicate some real time towards my personal and professional development, I knew the Lodge IDS could offer an environment in which to meet my goals. Who wouldn’t want an opportunity like the IDS? I was also encouraged by Laerke, who was on the 2024/25 IDS
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What are you looking forward to most about your year at Glenmore Lodge?
Some things I am looking forward to are exploring the east coast and other new areas of Scotland, learning from and being around such a high calibre of outdoor professionals/Instructors, and having other psyched people on a similar path to me to go on epic adventures with!
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Do you have any goals in mind for the year ahead?
Yes, a few goals of mine this year are qualification specific, for example my Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor training, Winter Mountain Leader training, and Sea Kayak Leader training, but I also have some wider goals. These are to gain more confidence and fine tune my skills in all disciplines and as an Instructor, lead my first winter route, and join a community in the area which will help me stay local after the IDS year.
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Daniel Bruce
What has your journey looked like up to this point?
4 years ago, we (me, my wife Donna, and dog Nessa) finally put plans into action to fulfil our long-term dream to venture north and settle in the Highlands. This led to the decision for a career change – so while I wound down from 12 years working as an outdoor clothing designer, I began my journey to becoming an outdoor Instructor.
After a bit of part-time work at Dukes Barn in the Peak District (mostly working with special educational needs children, which was amazing) and gaining my first few NGB qualifications, we made the move up to the Highlands. We bounced about in the van for a year and I entered the world of outdoor freelancing.
The last few years have been a mad journey, and it’s now a bit crazy to me that I’ve ended up on the IDS, especially at the age of 36! I’m psyched to become part of the outdoor community in Scotland, get to know lots of likeminded folk, and have plenty new pals to go adventuring with.
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Why did you apply for the Instructor Development Scheme?
I’ve been coming up to the Lodge for a number of years, and was very aware (through speaking to Instructors and previous IDS) of the IDS and how transformative it can be. With me changing careers and moving up to settle in the Highlands, the timing just felt right to apply too.
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What are you looking forward to most about your year at Glenmore Lodge?
Endless adventure and learning opportunities!!
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Do you have any goals in mind for the year ahead?
The main goals are to get well on the way with the Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor pathway, and qualify as a Winter Mountain Leader so I can share my passion for winter with others! I also want to continue to develop my paddling skills (both professional and personal) and explore leadership in the mountain biking world (since it’s the last of my personal outdoor passions which I’ve yet to explore in a professional capacity).
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Richard Taylor
What has your journey looked like up to this point?
I’ve always had a passion for the outdoors. Whether it was family holidays in the hills of the Lake District or chasing waves down in Cornwall, those early experiences sparked a lifelong love for adventure and wild places. That passion eventually led me to Worcester University, where I studied Outdoor Adventure Leadership & Management, a course that really set me on a path toward becoming an instructor.
Since finishing my degree, I’ve spent the last 5 years working across a range of outdoor education centres, from school and activity settings to more immersive experiences with the Outward Bound Trust. I’ve been lucky enough to work with all sorts of people, helping them discover their own love for the outdoors while continuing to grow my own skills.
More recently I have developed a passion for adventure photography as a great way to blend my love for creativity with the adrenaline rush of the sports we do. Allowing me to share the stories, moments and landscape that make this lifestyle so rewarding.
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Why did you apply for the Instructor Development Scheme?
For me, the Instructor Development Scheme came at the right time. I was looking for something new and challenging, something that would really push me to grow as an outdoor instructor. Glenmore Lodge has such a strong reputation for excellence and mentorship, and being part of the IDS means getting to learn from some of the best! While also being surrounded by like-minded people all striving for the same thing: to be better, more effective instructors. I also love the idea of having a full year to focus on skills, qualifications, and just soaking up everything the Scottish Highlands have to offer.
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What are you looking forward to most about your year at Glenmore Lodge?
What really excites me about this year is having the time and opportunity to fully focus on both my personal and professional development. Being able to commit to building qualifications, improving instructional delivery, and exploring new environments, without the usual distractions of work and life (yes we are working, working really hard!! but it’s a work pattern that allows us time to adventure) something I’m incredibly grateful for.
A big part of what makes this experience so special is being surrounded by a group of like-minded people who are all in the same boat. Everyone on the IDS is here to grow, push themselves, and support one another. That shared mindset creates a motivating and inspiring environment to be part of.
And of course, having access to the Scottish Highlands, especially during the winter months, is a huge bonus. It’s an incredible landscape to learn in; challenging, beautiful, and full of opportunities to develop both hard skills and deeper environmental awareness. I can’t wait to make the most of it, especially with my camera in hand.
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Do you have any goals in mind for the year ahead?
Definitely. I’ve got a few qualifications I’m working towards, but beyond that, I really want to hone my instructional style. I want to become someone who not only teaches skills, but helps people build confidence and connection in the outdoors. alongside my professional development I’m also keen to contribute creatively, whether that’s through content, media, or storytelling—using photography to help capture and share what goes on behind the scenes at Glenmore Lodge and in the wider outdoor community.
