John Woods

Director

John founded the Bird Watching & Wildlife Club in 2008.  As someone who was interested in wildlife but not an expert he felt there were millions of people like him that weren’t being catered for.  There are Golf Hotels, Fishing Hotels, Shooting Hotels, Scuba Diving Hotels, so why not Wildlife Hotels?

A Solicitor by profession John was the founder of Moneyfacts Group plc - the UK’s leading provider of interest rate data.  He is well known as a National Speaker on financial issues. 

John was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Civil Law from the University of East Anglia in 2005.

Kirsty Holtby

Programme Organiser

Having lived in this area for most of her life, Kirsty is familiar with the wealth and variety of wildlife that can be found in the Cairngorms, Speyside and Moray Firth.

After studying for a degree in history and social science, Kirsty's passion for travel and wildlife watching took her to South Africa.  There she volunteered on wildlife reserves, assisting with predator and herbivore research projects for seven months.  On her return to the UK, Kirsty spent two years working with the Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society; running one of the charity's visitor centres and guiding wildlife watching trips.

Kirsty joined the BWWC Team in June 2009 and describes it as her ideal job:

"It's great to be able to share my passion for this area and its wildlife with our Guests.  There's so much to see and do nearby and I really enjoy helping our Guests make the most of their time with us at the Grant Arms Hotel.  I really love exploring new areas and the wildlife that lives there; being able to help other people to do the same is extremely rewarding."

Katy Norbury

Programme Assistant

Having studied for a degree in animal behaviour and subsequently working for RSPB, Scottish Badgers and the Wildlife Trusts, Katy enjoyed learning about the UK’s wildlife and where and when is best to see different animals.  Katy moved up to the north east of Scotland in November 2008 - originally to work for the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society at their Wildlife Centre and doing outreach work in schools.

Travelling and exploring this corner of Scotland Katy found it to be an area rich in wildlife and history and with such stunning scenery that you can’t fail to be charmed. She joined the BWWC Team in January 2010:

“Part of this job is to lead Guided Walks, looking for birds and other wildlife - what could be more rewarding than watching animals going about their daily lives in their natural habitat?  I still find it exhilarating, even seeing the species we encounter on a regular basis.  I love being able to share these wildlife encounters with Guests and helping them to explore the variety of great wildlife watching sites nearby."

Frank McKay

Programme Assistant

Frank has been passionate about wildlife from an early age.  His career involved working in the Waste Reduction Industry, advising companies on environmental issues and waste minimisation.  After retirement, his environmental interests continued with voluntary work for Lancashire Wildlife Trust.  Soon after moving to Grantown in 2007, Frank formed a Natural History Group within the local U3A and also helps out at a nearby estate in Glenfeshie.  In May 2011 Frank began work as a casual member of the BWWC Team - helping us with our programme of events, leading Guided Walks and Wildlife Briefings.