During the October half-term break, I decided to spend a couple of days in Fort William - an ideal opportunity to visit Outward Bound® Scotland. Two days of wild emptiness. Fantastic walking. Sweet air. Delicious scenery. Soul-healing peace.
It had been a busy few weeks at Eccles College. Enrolment in August, new students, new staff, new timetables, new courses. Some old friends moving from AS to A2 Business Studies, and some new faces to fill the gaps left by second year students who have moved on to other places of learning. I'll miss 'em all.
This year, I'm helping to deliver our BTEC National Diploma in Business. This is the real reason for my visit to Loch Eil. In December, I'll be back; only this time, I'll have travelled from Eccles to Fort William via Glasgow and Glen Coe with more than fifty Business students and four favourite staff. We're doing the Outward Bound® thing. I can't wait. We've opted for the five-day 'Teams and Leaders' programme and will be based at Outward Bound® Scotland, a former shooting lodge on the edge of Loch Eil close to Fort William and the country's highest mountain, Ben Nevis.
The Fort William and Lochaber area is known as the outdoor capital of the UK. I examine the map. The swirling contours define one mountain range after another, punctuated only by blue lochs, pine forests and dramatic glens. I drive through Fort William and turn left onto Mallaig Road (A830), passing through the village of Corpach. About three miles later, I arrive at Outward Bound® Scotland. I spend four hours touring the centre and speaking with staff about the programme. This includes an expedition. The enthusiasm of OB staff is palpable (note to self: check out vacancies at OB when you get back to the office).
I leave the centre feeling extremely positive about what we are about to do - a superb choice. Theory into practice - Belbin, Tuckman... Unit 19 - Exploring Team Development, Unit 22 - Managing Teams. Outward Bound® Scotland - experiential learning at its best.
