New outdoor manager at luxury hotel

A world-renowned Perthshire hotel has appointed a dedicated ‘outdoor adventures’manager to help young guests and their families make the most of the October holidays.

Alan McGonagle (34), from Loch Lomond, has taken on the new role at Gleneagles to lead the hotel’s brand new‘Adventurer’s Guide’– a programme of over 50 different activities designed to encourage kids to get outside and explore nature.

The 850-acre Perthshire estate will be open to the public in the October half-term holidays from Saturday, October 3 to Sunday, November 1.

Alan’s most recent role was manager of Pinkston Watersports in Glasgow and his lifelong passion for the outdoors will see him deliver a host of new outdoor activities that use Perthshire’s natural landscape to“educate, entertain and inspire”youngsters.

Guests aged three years and above can take part in activities like fishing and watersports on Laich Loch, woodland skills, creating picture frames using natural materials from the estate, and gathering flowers and ferns to make natural paint brushes.

Commenting on his new role, Alan said:“As someone who has always loved the outdoors, it’s a joy to be able to say my full time job involves using that passion and experience to help create positive nature-based learning experiences for our younger guests and their families.

“Developing our new adventure programme has been my top priority since joining the team.

“There’s a noticeable demand for outdoor-based activities that get children away from screens, especially after being cooped up for so long over the last few months.

“Our ambition is to help young people develop knowledge and appreciation for the precious natural environment around them and encourage outdoor play.

“Gleneagles’850-acre estate of Scottish countryside has so much to offer guests of any age; we’re not called the Glorious Playground for nothing.

“We know how incredibly lucky we are in Scotland to have some of the most spectacular natural assets right on our doorstep.”

All Adventurer’s Guide activities must be pre-booked and are available for hotel residents only.

Bookings can be made by calling 01764 694 455 or for more information go to the Gleneagles Hotel website.