There has been extensive press coverage of the proposed closure of Blairvadach (see here for Evening Times) and I was pleased to be quoted in the Sunday National at the weekend.  Congratulations to the journalist concerned, Karin Goodwin, for finding professionals within the Outdoor Education sector who have been prepared to speak out publicly against what is happening.  Also for revealing that Glasgow City Council has tried to gag teachers in the city.  That must be illegal surely?  Our Public Authorities should be listening to professional opinion – and young people and their parents – not trying to stifle it.

Pete Higgins was absolutely right to say that residential provision is an essential part of outdoor education provision.  The suggestion from the Glasgow City “spokesman” that undertaking activities in the City’s 90 parks and open spaces is equivalent to experiencing the landscape of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park or of the Clyde Estuary show a complete lack of understanding of outdoor education.  Walking up to the top of Queen’s Park, one of Glasgow’s best viewpoints – and dear to me, its my local hill –  is NOT the same as walking up Conic Hill, Ben Lomond or the Cobbler.  Launching a boat onto the Clyde by the city centre, where my daughter learned to sail, is NOT comparable to sailing on Loch Lomond or the Clyde.

What school in Glasgow can, in weather like this,  provide children with gum boots and waterproofs,  let them enjoy sliding around in the mud and hose them down afterwards?   What school in Glasgow can take children out in the dark and let them find their way through a boulder field by touch?  Blairvadach does both those things and lot lots more.  .The Council should be duty bound to ensure that every child gets to participate in activities such as this that are challenging for them and to experience Scotland’s wild and rugged landscapes.

Earlier last week, another piece in the National reported that the proposed cut was part of a budget deal between the Greens and SNP on Glasgow City Council.   I was dismayed by this and have been in touch with the Greens.  They have told me that while they have agreed to support the broad elements in Glasgow’s  provisional budget – more money may become available once Westminster has agreed its budget – they haven’t agreed every element of the package.   The fact that last year they proposed making a new capital investment of £1m in the centre provides hope (see here for link to 2019-20 Green budget proposals):

The SNP administration failed to support last year’s amendment but it suggests there is everything to play for still.   The underlying issue is that the Scottish Government is starving Local Authorities of funds.

Meantime last night a petition to stop the closure (see here) had gained 8,416 signatures – please sign if you have not already done so – and its clear the wider public really value outdoor education.  The Evening Times has done a short report on You Tube from people talking about what Blairvadach meant to them (see below) – its time our politicians listened and delivered the resources necessary to deliver public services.

Its possible that the emerging campaign to save Blairvadach campaign could mark a turning point for Outdoor Education.  Instead of playing one part of the education system off against another (“we need to cut outdoor education to preserve core teaching”), we need politicians who will value and invest in a whole range of outdoor educational experiences and recognise that Outdoor Education can transform lives. Enabling all children to get out into our National Parks should be a key part of that.  That requires not just Residential Outdoor Education Centres, but a Ranger Service dedicated to facilitating thousands more people to enjoy the National Park instead of spending their time policing campers as  they do at present.