A true visionary, Mike was full of creative and exciting ideas on how to make things happen in our precious big tree country. He was determined to try to prevent and help heal scars caused by any future dualling of the A9. He understood the importance of  increasing the connection between community and trees, to help everyone learn more about tree species, habitat, and their relation to memory and story. Mike was determined to reduce and remove the barriers that prevent people in our community from engaging with their big trees. It was clear to him that this could be done in interesting, participative, and creative ways. He understood that education and learning do not have to be dull. They can be playful, and that very much suited Mike’s playful personality and humour. Biodiversity is a critical issue for us all in terms of the safety of our planet, and Mike’s article in the Bridge about Birnam Wood and Birnam Hill is an example of how active he was in addressing this right up until the end of his life (a copy of his article can be found under New Projects on this website).

Many members will know that Mike was a wheelchair user for over 10 years and therefore direct lived experience of the disabling attitudes, behaviours and infrastructure barriers that many people with health conditions and impairments in our community experience. His insight and wide ranging skills as a retired GP and deep knowledge of our community, made him a powerful champion for change.  He understood the relationship between the health of our big trees, fragile environment and our community and the opportunities for each to heal the other. Like many others, on a daily basis he found novel ways to overcome practical barriers that people with health conditions and impairments like him face in accessing and enjoying the things others take for granted. Mike’s powerful intellect, relentless determination and proactive approach, enabled him to communicate the devastating impact of inaccessible opportunities ,environments,  paths, roads, and transport to accelerate change.

Mike’s single minded leadership of the application for funding towards the creation of an accessible Stanley Hill active travel path is the reason it was successful. The insight, arguments and evidence of need that Mike presented to funders, on behalf of those who are often the least heard in our community, was compelling. He understood that  improving active travel and accessibility for all from the heart of our village via north car park to bus services, the station and beyond, was as essential to help to protect local people who depended on trees and tourism for their livelihoods as it was to the protection of our big trees and environment.

It is always a pleasure to work with someone who has ideas, but even more importantly, it is wonderful to work with someone who wants to ‘get things done’. Mike will be so fondly remembered for being both a ‘creative ideas’ and ‘get the job done’ kind of man, and that wonderful legacy provides a strong foundation for the future success of Dunkeld and Birnam Community Arboretum and inspires other community led projects to prioritise improving accessibility and inclusion.