Address to a Hambo: my dad

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A speech delivered on the occasion of Hamish Fraser McLauchlan’s 80th Birthday Saturday 6th October 2018 Glenesk Hotel, Edzell My dad… Hamish is many things to many people. He’s ‘Hamish’ or ‘darlin’ to my mum. The ‘bunker’ to customers past and present. ‘Grandpa Bum’ to Rosalyn and Jamie. ‘My secret tartan love terrier’ to TV chef Nigella Lawson. But to me, Colin and Neil – he is our dad. When my voice finally broke, I was always mistaken for my dad on the phone. Do you…Continue Reading “Address to a Hambo: my dad” →

Tipping Point

Categories Blog, Comment

An incredible thing happened last week. The General Teaching Council of Scotland sent its members an email informing them that the fees had been increased by £15, from £50 to £65 a year. And suddenly the world of social media went ballistic with rage. Apoplectic teachers unleashed a firestorming mix of criticism, disbelief, abject disappointment and dejection. They were unhappy at a 30% increase in the fees despite their own meagre pay awards decreasing in value compared to the rise of living costs in the…Continue Reading “Tipping Point” →

Season To Leave: let’s go exploring

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Tell your tales, set yours sails, you’re on your way In January 2001, I left my job as a projectionist at the Cameo Cinema in Edinburgh and set off for the bright lights of Bottrop, Germany to work as a British Council lingua-assistant in a Grundschule (primary school). I played this song by The Guthries on repeat before I left. It was a transformative experience. Overnight I became the exotic teaching legend of Herr McLauchlan (not my own definition). As soon as I returned I…Continue Reading “Season To Leave: let’s go exploring” →

With Neil and I

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SCRUBBERS! Being a wee brother is both a curse and a blessing. There is a 10.5 year age difference between me and Neil. Growing up, Neil and Colin were more like gods than mere mortals to me. They arrived back from mysterious far away cities, like Dundee and Edinburgh, fitted out in long trench coats, attitude and humour that influenced and guided my tastes in music, book, films and life in general. I still had the feeling they both looked upon me as but a…Continue Reading “With Neil and I” →

TeachMeet Glasgow (unplugged) in six steps

Categories Blog, Professional Learning

TeachMeet Glasgow (unplugged) takes place at West Brewery, Glasgow Green on Thursday 12th May from 6-8pm, and the venue hire is very kindly being sponsored by SCEL (Scottish College of Educational Leadership). I’d never been to a TeachMeet before until a couple of years a go. I’d watched from afar, even signed up a couple of times, but never actually gone along. What would I share? Would anyone think it was any good? But I don’t know anyone. And so on… Which inevitably resulted in…Continue Reading “TeachMeet Glasgow (unplugged) in six steps” →