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climbing available anywhere, ski
mountaineering to rival the continent,
mountain biking which is world renowned
and incredible rivers and canyons in
remarkable glens.
I have zero doubt that without my time in
Fort William I wouldn’t have made the move
into professional ski patrol work. I eventually involved in a serious accident in which I lost
did six seasons in both the Northern and
Southern Hemispheres.
I settled in Fort William and consider it to
be home. I am also privileged to be a
member of Scotland’s busiest mountain
rescue team.
I am currently employed by the Scottish
Ambulance Service as front line crew. My
passion for prehospital care was sparked
through my ski patrol and first aid work
which I started during my studies. I have
long term goals and aspirations for my
career within the service, which I hope to be
a long one. My interests lie with acute care
in austere and mountainous environments
and hopefully one day I am able to work in
that capacity within my job role.
Cameron McIlvar.
BA Adventure Performance
and Coaching 2018
I had been to Fort William for the
mountain bike world cup and I really
liked the town and the outdoor
sports vibe.
When I saw the Adventure Tourism
Management course in the UHI prospectus,
I hadn't even realised that a career in the
outdoors was an option. I had been an avid
mountain biker for years and so mountain
biking as a job was the dream!
Near the beginning of my studies I was
my right leg below the knee and received a
brain injury leaving me with attention,
concentration and memory issues. I worked
with many external organisations to
rehabilitate myself because I couldn't wait to
get back to my adventure sport career path.
The college and SOAS were all supportive
in aiding my return to study. Having a
prosthetic leg may have been new territory
for some guides who were taking us out, but
it was never an issue. In fact, it was most
often used for a mutual learning experience.
My career has taken a turn from my
original plan: I am now a professional
athlete. My degree covered performance
sport - the area I am now in - without me
even realising how useful it would be in
future. I am on the British para-snowboard
team training for the Beijing Paralympics in
2022. I am ranked 5th in the World in LL2
Banked Slalom. I compete in Snowboard
Cross as well. I think eventually I will return
to instructor work as its really rewarding
when you impact someone's learning and
enable them to progress their skills and
have an enjoyable time while doing it!
Andy Macleod.
BA Adventure Tourism
Management 2015
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