A popular Moray teacher has retired after spending more than three decades helping generations of pupils make the most of the outdoors.
Tony Gabb joined the staff at the prestigious Gordonstoun private school in 1982 to teach maths and physics, and, shortly thereafter, was appointed to lead its expeditions.
Mr Gabb took youngsters from the school on ice climbing trips to Noway, and skiing on the Haute Route between France and Switzerland.
And, closer to home, he led canoeing trips at Hopeman, kayaking sessions along the River Spey, and climbing challenges in the Cairngorm mountain range and the Torridon Hills on the west coast.
The school spent much of last term celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme – which was originated in Moray by its then-principal Kurt Hahn.
As his swansong, Mr Gabb helped organise a trek last week where 350 youngsters walked 18 miles from Fochabers to the campus at Duffus.
The pupils – aged from seven to 17 – raised £4,000 to help continue the project at other schools across the globe.
Mr Gabb said he was “honoured” to have played such a crucial role in the development of so many pupils during the last 34 years.
And Gordonstoun principal, Simon Reid, declared the adventuring educator always went “way beyond” what was required of him.
Mr Gabb joined the faculty in 1982 to teach maths and physics.
In April 1984, he took over as the school’s teacher in charge of expeditions and, after several years of adventuring, he was made housemaster of Cumming House in late 1991, and placed in charge of Gordonstoun’s successful cross-country teams.
In the late 1990s, Mr Gabb decided to expand his horizons by spending a year teaching in Canada. So he moved to Ontario with his wife and two children in 1998, where he taught at Lakefield College.
Mr Gabb returned to Gordonstoun the following summer, and was welcomed back by being made the school’s director of staffing and planning shortly thereafter, a post he held until his retirement.
As he looks to spend his autumn years away from the hustle and bustle of the classroom, Mr Gabb said he would “treasure” his memories from the school.
He added: “I have been honoured to serve Gordonstoun for all these years, and have enjoyed every day of it.
“Working with so many students and seeing them develop from awkward self-conscious youngsters into confident and compassionate young adults has been a privilege.
“I shall miss the school and wish it every success for the future.”
Mr Reid concluded: “Tony’s 34 years at Gordonstoun have been characterised by his absolute commitment to the school’s ethos of an all-round education and service to others.
“He has always gone way beyond what was required of him, both in and out of the classroom, and he has offered a wonderful combination of being an excellent academic teacher as well as an outstanding outdoor education instructor.
“Above all, he has gone about his work with a mixture of humility and compassion which embody all that Gordonstoun is about.
“He will be greatly missed by everyone at the school and we wish him a long and happy retirement.”
