A Fort William outdoor education centre has been forced to introduce pay cuts, voluntary redundancies and job sabbaticals in the face of what bosses say has been a lack of government support during the pandemic.
The Outward Bound Trust’s flagship Scottish centre at Loch Eil said 15 out of its 30 instructors had either taken voluntary redundancy or were going on ‘adventure sabbaticals’ for the next six to 12 months for a retainer fee.
Ten instructors have been taken off furlough to work with young people in local schools, with their work supported by donors.
The remaining staff are on the furlough scheme and receiving 80% of their pay.
The savings should mean the centre can continue until next spring, but it still faces an uncertain future.
Loch Eil is non-profit making and is funded by its residential outdoor adventure courses.
Last year, the centre put 5,200 young people through their paces, mostly from Scotland.
Latest Scottish Government Covid regulations mean the centre can continue offering day courses, but its bread-and-butter residential courses cannot re-start until the spring term next year.
The Outward Bound Trust’s Scotland director Martin Davidson described the decision as catastrophic.
“The school residential has been a feature of Scottish education for years,” he said.
“It is highly valued by teachers, it develops self-confidence and helps with mental health and well being.
“While the government has supported many sectors to ensure their survival and enable them to adapt, residential centres are unable to operate and remain in lock-down.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said it has advised against school residential visits to centres because of the increased risk of virus transmission associated with overnight stays, though risk- assessed day visits are permitted.
She said: “To support outdoor education centres during this challenging time, we have funded the development of guidance for schools and outdoor education centres on safe day visits.”
The sector has launched a #SaveYourOutdoorCentres campaign and a petition to the Scottish Government calling on it to support outdoor centres or risk losing them for ever.
Lochaber councillor Ben Thompson said it was an ‘unfathomable’ decision.
“Outdoor educators don’t just employ staff, they benefit local accommodation providers, restaurants, garages and all sorts of other services,” he said.
“Outward Bound in Lochaber is one of our bigger local employers and brings visitors from across the UK and beyond to the Highlands.
“We’ve just experienced a summer of tourism pressures where it has been obvious that respect for the outdoors is lacking and that understanding why we need to protect our pristine Highland environment isn’t universal.
“Outdoor education is one of the most important things we can do to protect our environment.”
