About
COMPILATION CAREER
From concept to delivery, I manage business, cultural, social enterprise, community and educational projects I specialise in research, project mgt, fundraising and promotions.
In addition to my employment, I do freelance work in events, marketing and PR. I also produce multimedia projects, from magazine and radio features to social media and short films. For tourism operators and visitor attractions I also do consultancy work. Previously, I have been a Highlands Destination Mgr, UNESCO Geopark CEO and a business and cultural Project Mgr. Prior to that, I set up festivals in the Lothians and managed Arts Communication projects at Edinburgh Castle for six years (with National Museum Scotland, Vatican Museums and Scottish National Portrait Gallery secondments).
I have a Master in Business Administration, CIM Marketing Diploma (Chartered Marketer), BA Communications and I do ongoing Continuing Professional Development.
MEDIA EXPERIENCE
My communications career began with the BBC and since, I have gone on to work with various media organisations including BBC Alba, STV, Grampian, SKY, RTE, CNN etc. In a freelance capacity, I continue to do part time work in photojournalism and broadcasting. For over ten years, I have provided features and editorial services to cultural, business and arts magazines. For some years I also produced my own radio shows and was latterly employed in radio to set up and manage Festival Radio Scotland. I enjoy the process of teaching media, business and life skills to young people through intergenerational projects. During a tour, I invited Frankie Gavin and Colm O'Caoimh to FRS studios and their interview finished with the rousing set of tunes as above. Radio broadcasts and films were also produced in partnership with Edinburgh and Lothian festivals, community groups, charities, cultural agencies and sports clubs. Studying film making at the University of Edinburgh, today I continue my interest in heritage, arts and cultural projects by interviewing and filming people (crofters, fishermen, musicians) gathering insights into their life stories.
IRELAND
CULTURAL TOURISM
My career in tourism, marketing and events has given me a strong interest in Scottish culture and Scotland as seen from abroad.
Winner of a Music/SKY TV scholarship, I studied for four months in America and Canada. I played concerts at Highland Games, for Clan Gatherings and for Scottish and Irish cultural organisations. After, I played music in Ireland for several months. I have also fulfilled roles as a Scottish Cultural Ambassador at events in Canada, America and Europe,
SCOTLAND
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
2016-19: Management of business, tourism, educational and third sector projects e.g. Destination Manager and Geopark CEO. Plus, project communications, PR and marketing management.
2014-16: Manager Festival Radio Scotland. Plus, projects in Scotland and abroad.
2007-14: Cultural and Community projects,
managing marketing, fundraising,
business and membership development.
Pre 2007: SCDI Highland & Islands Manager
Project Manager for Highland 2007
Midlothian Town Centres Manager
Project Manager ACT Edinburgh Castle
Marketing, PR, Event Mgt & Researcher
BBC Production & Freelance for STV & SKY
QUALIFICATIONS
Master Business Administration
CIM Diploma in Marketing
BA in Communications
FREELANCE PROJECTS
Business and Arts: For clients I deliver projects specialising in strategic planning, project funding, event management and promotions. I produce PR, marketing materials and fundraising applications. For musicians, authors and artists, I have also organised CD and book launches, exhibitions, media interviews, gigs, tours, sales, marketing and PR.
Photojournalism, Broadcasting, Media: for UK Press, national and international magazines, my photos are used for features, on CDs, in books, and been featured on TV shows. I have also been engaged as a TV researcher, presented for short films, produced my own radio shows. Through film making studies with Edinburgh University, I am currently engaged in a collaboration project.
Communities, Culture and Education: I enjoy researching and producing business, cultural and creative projects which engage others. For example my People and Songs of the Sea exhibitions and events were visited by 12,000 people and the project won awards eg: Creative Project of the Decade, Scottish Marketing Impact Award and Compendium Album of the Year.
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TO VIEW ALBUMS
CANADA
CLICK TO SEE PHOTO ALBUM
PEOPLE & SONGS OF THE SEA
EVENTS, MARKETING, SOCIAL MEDIA
Building on my career and creative project experience, with the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, I also studied tourism and communities. Elected coursework focused on festivals in Scotland and Ireland. Plus, my own experience setting up and promoting festivals and events e.g. my business activities for membership organisations, health, socio-economic and cultural initiatives for govt. In addition to cultural and creative events I have been involved in setting up and delivering e.g. those focussed on Scottish heritage, music, literary projects and the arts. In Continuing Professional Development, I have also taken courses in Digital Marketing, Social Media, Photography and Film Making.
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Creative projects: I first visited America, Canada and Ireland having received a scholarship. Later, I won a business scholarship to Italy. Through my career, music and photography, I have developed a network leading to collaboration projects. I have produced social media and articles for Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, photos and PR for Floors Castle. Plus, CD, book launches, photos and events for musicians, authors and the Irish Consulate.
BC Highland Games and VPD: For BC Highland Games, I was their Announcer in addition to filming, photographing and writing a feature for Scotland magazine "Scot in Canada". With Vancouver Police Dept and Pipe Band, founded by many Scots, I also joined a school visit celebrating Scottish-Canadian links. I have also provided photos / PR for community events e.g. Galas and Highland Games (in Durness and North Berwick).
People of the Land and Sea: My family from fishing and farming communities, I have also used my multimedia skills to produce projects to look at cultural and working connections within the fishing industry and farming. I also assist in social media to raise educational awareness to protect wildlife and the environment.
GUEST ANNOUNCER FOR CANADA'S
BRITISH COLUMBIA HIGHLAND GAMES
