Board of Directors

Russell’s career has been in Digital. He previously founded 55degrees, one of the first digital agencies in Scotland, developing systems and content for clients extending from the likes of National Trust for Scotland & Riverside Museum to Red Bull & Morrison plc. He has since consulted widely on digital transformation and productisation and is currently focusing on opportunities for Data & AI to support Net Zero.

Russell is a strong believer in the value of community and has supported the growth of the Scottish tech ecosystem through driving initiatives such as Product Tank Edinburgh, ScotStartups & StartupSurf. StartupSurf introduced tech workers from the central belt to the joys of surfing in Scotland and used that as a way to develop community through shared adversity and celebration of place. To support that initiative Russell trained as a Beach Lifeguard & Surf Instructor which introduced him to the community of providers which Wild Scotland serves. After a few summers guiding & instructing sea activities in the Outer Hebrides, he decided to deepen his involvement with the sector through Wild Scotland.

Russell is excited by the opportunity that Wild Scotland has to support the sector. He believes it is uniquely placed to help address some of the key challenges that society faces, through the activities of its membership.

Executive Director of the EUROPARC Federation, the principle membership association for Europe's parks and protected areas.  Previously Carol worked as a Countryside Ranger and laterally Manager of the Pentland Hills Regional Park.

Carol is conversant in environmental, land management and sustainability agenda at both a Scottish and European level.

Being a trained teacher and ecologist Carol has a particular focus and expertise on communications, capacity building and training and is the principal creative force behind most of the communications outputs of EUROPARC Federation, including an award-winning film on Sustainable Tourism.

EUROPARC created and manages the European Charted for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Area, an internationally recognised tool to deliver sustainable tourism as a partnership between tourism businesses, local communities and protected areas. All with the goals of creating sustainable destinations that are both good for business and for nature.

EUROPARC has just developed the STAR awards a new award for sustainable tourism businesses working to conserve and protect the landscapes within which they work.  

Tim works as an outdoor adventure instructor. For Tim, Scotland offers the opportunity for amazing adventure where inspiring landscapes, unique wildlife and the wonderful people who live, work and visit these places and who call this place home at some point in their life. All of these create a fabulous fusion of heritage, culture and diverse experience with tourism as a way forward to help both nature and community.

With 15+ years of experience working with children, students and scientists, including with award-winning Wild Tree Adventures, Tim is passionate about connecting people with nature. Qualified as a zoologist and sculptor, he further holds specialised industry qualifications relating to safety, inspections, rope access and advanced canopy access techniques and tree climbing rescue.

Using skills in rigging and risk management as an outdoor instructor and tree climbing expert, I safely bring people into potentially dangerous environments, using tree climbing an inspiring way to explore our environment. Previous clients include BBC Studios, Caledonia TV, Forestry Scotland, Paxton House, South of Scotland Eagle Partnership and Woodland Trust Scotland.

As an active volunteer Tim is a Verifier for the Woodland Trust's Ancient Tree Inventory and also works on rare raptors in partnership with forestry. Experience in monitoring rare and specially protected wildlife gives him an insight into the pressures facing high-impact tourist locations, complex issues of land management, tourism and the adventure tourism sector.