ABOUT CLS
CLS is an independent charity formed in 2003, focused on providing a variety of educational opportunities for young people within Scotland’s countryside. Our aim is to encompass all areas of the land from recreation to traditional land uses, helping to sustain Scotland’s wild places through educating the next generation.
We aim to do this by improving people’s awareness, knowledge of and access to the outdoors and to promote an informed understanding of the value of the countryside for lifelong health, quality of life and social well-being for all.
We work with nursery, primary and secondary schools, higher education, colleges and youth and community groups.
OUR BOARD AND TEAM
Meet the People Behind the Work
IAN ROBERTSON
Executive Director
Ian is passionate about creating responsible access to the countryside
Ian qualified from Jordanhill College of Physical Education where he studied sport in the community and was then involved with Scottish Rugby for 12 years as player, coach and development officer. Ian then moved to project manage the Scottish National Angling Programme followed by a spell managing the Country Sports Tourism Group. Before taking on his role as Executive Director of CLS Ian spent 4 years as wildlife manager at Pitcarmick estate.through creating a rural environment where recreational activity, volunteering opportunities, rural livelihoods, and traditional land uses can live in harmony through better education and understanding.
Contact Ian:
DAVID RITCHIE
Project Manager
National Rural Learning Centre
David is undertaking a feasibility study for the proposed National Rural Learning Centre as a project manager for Countryside Learning Scotland. David comes from a farming background and holds an honors degree in Agricultural Animal Science. He is a qualified teacher of biology and has taught in South Korea, England and Scotland over the last 17 years. David is also a passionate salmon angler and is the founder and chairman of the Atlantic Salmon Conservation Schools Network. Time outdoors hillwalking is another spare time pursuit. David lives with his family in rural Perthshire.
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Contact David:
Katie Rudge
Education Programme Coordinator
​Through partnership with the Field Studies Council (FSC), Katie is delivering the Pathways to Rural Work Programme For Countryside Learning Scotland as Education Programme Coordinator. Katie’s background is in education and she taught Biology and Chemistry in England and Scotland for 10 years. In 2017, Katie joined FSC Scotland and has enjoyed bringing her twin passions for education and the outdoors together to engage young people with nature, science and sustainability. Katie lives in rural Perthshire with her family, and enjoys hillwalking, running and cycling in her spare time.
Contact Katie
OUR TRUSTEES
Jim Drysdale
Deirdre Stewart
Keith Hopkins
Ralland Brown
Tony Andrews
Jean Howman
