Osbert Lancaster
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- changemaking for sustainabilityManagement Consulting | Edinburgh, United Kingdom, GBSummaryI work with organisations, including community groups, NGOs, professional associations, businesses and universities, that want to change things for the better – in the way they operate and in the world beyond.
People call it sustainability, social responsibility, climate action, social justice etc, but for me it all comes down to the same thing – helping create the conditions where we, and the planet on which we depend, can all flourish.Specialties: delivering and supporting change, sustainability review, social impact assessment, economic impact assessment, ethical procurement, carbon footprinting, ecological footprinting, customer and competitor analysis, fairtrade, social enterprise, ethical enterprise, sustainability strategies, corporate social responsibility (CSR), culture change, social return on investment, leadership, team development, evaluationExperience- Aug 2011 - PresentProgramme Director: PG Certificate Global Environment Challenges / University of EdinburghProgramme Director: Postgraduate Certificate Global Environment Challenges.
- Feb 2011 - PresentDirector / Changemakingchangemaking: consulting & facilitation for sustainability helping people, organisations & planet flourish
- 2008 - PresentGrants Panel Member / Scottish Government Climate Challenge FundReview funding applications and make recommendations for approval to the Minister.
- 2008 - PresentAdvisory Council Member / WWF ScotlandProviding an independent, external perspective to inform strategy, policy and practice.
- Feb 2008 - Feb 2011Director / FootprintWe design and facilitate culture change programmes for sustainability. Through innovative wilderness courses, mentoring, strategic planning and project support, we engage personal values to catalyse organisational and cultural change. Our unique approach combines ecology, psychology and 20 years of very diverse practical experience.
- Sept 2005 - Sept 2009Course leader / University of StrathclydeCourse leader for 'Ethical Enterprise', option class in the MSc in Human Ecology and also available a certificate of professional development.
- Apr 2001 - Jan 2008Executive Director / Centre for Human EcologyCentre for Human Ecology is a network of professionals, activists and academics generating practical change and new thinking for ecological sustainability and social justice. Offering postgraduate courses for agents of change in partnership with the University of Strathclyde.
- Apr 1997 - Mar 2001Fellow / Centre for Human EcologyResearch, consultancy, teaching, training, project development and management relating to sustainable development and the business sector.
- Apr 1994 - Mar 1997Business Development Adviser / Midlothian Enterprise TrustAdvise and consultancy support to small and medium-sized enterprises.
- Apr 1991 - Mar 1994Managing Consultant / Development Options LtdConsultancy projects for public and private sector clients in the UK and Eastern Europe.
Education-
1990 - 1991Heriot-Watt UniversityMBA
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1980 - 1985The University of EdinburghBSc (Hons) in Agricultural Science
Additional Information-
Websites:
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Tweets
- Can you recommend central #edinburgh pub w private room for 20 - 30 people, as #venue for work-related, but relaxed, conversations?
- @posterous unable to sign up to create new acct. Cleared cache, restarted, but can't get beyond 'sign up now!'
- Happy birthday @mindmeister Useful mindmapping software for online collaboration, currently free for iPad #ipad3giveawayMar 22, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- @AlanAtKisson Not everyone is convinced: http://t.co/mF9WNLuB
- iPunt http://t.co/a1qEU9yX < good decision!
- RT @carosmiff: Why I quit Facebook - NYPOST http://t.co/AiXqLVyS powerful story by 18yr-old. < tempting, very tempting
- @bellacaledonia some stuff about fitba
- ALIGHT from the train; UPLIFT yr personal belongings < Does @eastcoastuk language evoke golden age of travel or inarticulate managerialism?
- On the other hand the views are wonderful.
- On train from Edinburgh to Sevenoaks for @valuesandframes training. Plans for lots of work on train less realistic after very early rising.
- @thinktosync thanks!
- @mediawummin sorry - CHIP FORK! for forks sake!
- @twodoctors I assume it's useful for credibility, both the profile and the network. Rarely had interaction as a result. Keep it up to date!
- @websjapan Great thanks! Now I can include them as a resource in my course.
- Can anyone 'overseas' see if these BBC video & audio links work outside UK? http://t.co/bHcggIkY http://t.co/uQpgQmWC Thanks! #mscidel
- MT @EllaTasm: Work pressures in unis? http://t.co/uLl1MdC6 No mention overspill to Facebook etc < implications for online tutoring #mscidel
- MT @JonnyHughesSWT: Like idea of working in diff places, settings depending on what needs doing http://t.co/kjQmYx5d <I've 3 main spaces!
- RT @dkorten: Tell #Starbucks we shouldn't have 2 giv up R legal rights 2 get cup of coffee. http://t.co/gKpsMOZ8 <only in US? Prob UK soon!
- @urbaneprofessor captures exactly my fear of cycling on much shorter and less challenging route!
- RM @SusanGuest: @teresacovell @CyclingEdin I hate unnecess bell ringing - a bell means MOVE; when there's room to pass seems rude <agreed
- MT @GoodwinMJ: 'Universities: a series of indiv faculty entrepreneurs held tog by common grievance over parking' Pres UCLA< #mscidel agree?
- Is there an iPhone app that measures shuggling? Use in #edinburgh while #cycling to highlight potholes, setts & badness of road surfaces.
- MT @urbaneprofessor: stupid cyclists: http://t.co/PD7uH4J4 < every #edinburgh councillor & roads engineer should read this & feel ashamed
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Posts
- May 15, 12
Over the last six months or so, I've been developing a new online distance learning programme for the University of Edinburgh: the Postgraduate Certificate in Global Environment Challenges.
Designed for people working, or looking to work, in policy, practice and/or research relating to sustainability and wellbeing, the nine month part-time programme addresses the big questions:
- How is human activity changing the natural environment?
- How is that environmental change affecting people?
- How can policy and practice influence human activity and help us deal with the changes?
- How can we, in our work and our lives, most effectively contribute to understanding and addressing these challenges?
Now that I've just finished running a pilot, which has received very positive feedback, I'm feeling confident that this is going to be as good as I'd hoped!I found it incredibly stimulating and the reading inflamed my interest in the topic. I thought the readings were chosen very carefully and were challenging but set up the discussions excellently.The pilot participants tell me they found the course material fascinating and thought provoking - Edit: Listen to participants' feedback here. more on this once we've completed the evaluation.
The online nature of the course worked very well, and will have a number of benefits for participants, in addition to the obvious one of being able to study part time at a distance.
More about the programme here.
If you are interested in taking the programme, think it may be relevant for professional development in your organisation, or can help promote it through your networks, please get in touch with me.
Image: cc Wirawat Lian-udom
- Mar 30, 12
I've long been interested in the theory and practice around Common Cause, which argues that profound change to address social and environmental problems must take account of, and respect, people's deepest personal values. This strongly resonates with, and has informed, aspects of my work over the the years.I'm very pleased to be appointed a Common Cause Fellow to work with WWF and others to raise awareness of Common Cause in Scotland and to explore how it can be applied in practice in a range of contexts.
We are develop a programme of activities, including a workshop on 25 April 2012 in Edinburgh - more on the (temporary) Comon Cause for Scotland website.
- Mar 19, 12via groupspaces.com
I've been fascinated by how values influence our behaviour for ages.
So having spent some time working with Tom Crompton and his colleagues, who have developed the body of work around Common Causes, I'm delighted to help organise and deliver this workshop in Edinburgh on 25th April.
This will, we hope, be the start of a programme of Common Cause activity in Scotland. Even if you can't make this workshop, you can sign up via the link to be updated on developments.
- Mar 02, 12
From the place where we are right, flowers will never grow in spring.
The place where we are right, is hard and trampled like a yard.
But the doubts and loves dig up the world - like a mole - a plough.
And a whisper will be heard in the place where the ruined house once stood.by Yehuda Amichai
Thanks to Laurence D'Marco of Senscot who describes Israeli poet Yehuda Amichai as a compassionate humanist in a country driven mad by religion.
- Mar 01, 12
I've got serious concerns about using economic value of the ecosystem to engage people, but some interesting stuff here about the importance of social norms.
- Feb 29, 12
In spite of current ads and slogans, the world doesn't change one person at a time. It changes as networks of relationships form among people who discover they share a common cause and vision of what's possible. This is good news for those of us intent on changing the world and creating a positive future. Rather than worry about critical mass, our work is to foster critical connections. We don't need to convince large numbers of people to change; instead, we need to connect with kindred spirits. Through these relationships, we will develop the new knowledge, practices, courage, and commitment that lead to broad-based change.
Not only an interesting article, but also a good explanation of that important, but often confusing, concept of 'emergence'.
- Dec 14, 11Great animation from psychologist Tim Kasser explaining why our relentless exposure to materialism actually effects how we feel and how we behave. And how to break out of materialism's embrace.Tim has been working with Tom Crompton and others on values and frames in the Common Cause project. I've been helping organise a series of events as part of Tim's visit to Scotland which have all been oversubscribed. It looks like there's an appetite to learn more about this work, and to explore how we can apply this to our work on sustainability and social justice. In the meantime, this video is a succinct introduction to one aspect of this approach.
- Dec 11, 11
I've been rather quiet in the blog- and twitter-sphere recently as I've been very busy with two projects for the University of Edinburgh: teaching a postgrad course Human Dimensions of Environmental Change and Sustainability and helping develop a new online MSc in Global Challenges. More on the latter in due course.One of the side effects of this is spending a lot of time in academic journals, and they are not all as dry as one might imagine.
This letter to a leading journal, Nature, suggests Homo sapiens (wise man) "should be formally renamed to more accurately describe a species that is: exterminating thousands of others; releasing carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in amounts exceeding Earth's natural cycles; devoting 50 times more resources to making weapons than to sustaining the food supply; destroying forests; degrading soil; polluting water; pillaging the oceans; and damaging the atmosphere on a planetary scale".
(Note this is a short letter, there's not much more to see after logging in, so those of you without access to academic journals aren't missing much in this particular case.)
- Oct 19, 11
It was clear within a minute or so that he would fail – and for precisely the same reason that Debbie Morrison succeeded. He thought in terms of systems, KPIs, targets and guidelines. But he missed the one crucial ingredient that made the difference between success and failure. The human element, in other words.
This book is going on my wish list. But for goodness sake, why do we so often allow ourselves to fall into the trap of believing it's all about systems and not about people? Both are needed.
- Oct 03, 11
I recently trained as a facilitator of Carbon Conversations, a set of inspiring group discussions about and around climate change. The programme has been chosen by the Guardian as one of the twenty best solutions to climate change.Carbon Conversations was designed by psychologist Rosemary Randall for community settings. With Pam McLean, a leading Carbon Conversations practitioner, I'm exploring how Carbon Conversations can help organisations, their staff and their networks engage with and take action on climate change. Pam has piloted Carbon Conversations in several workplaces with encouraging results.
We believe Carbon Conversations can help public, private and third sector organisations develop, motivate and expand 'green teams'; involve staff with the implementation of sustainability and CSR strategies; and engage with local communities and other stakeholders on climate change.
We plan to launch more formally soon, but if you'd like to be in the first wave, or to discuss partnering with us, please let me know.
Carbon Conversations is supported by the Climate Outreach Information Centre. For background on the course visit carbonconversations.org.
- Oct 03, 11
This should be interesting:
The Scottish Government is organising a research conference on Values and Climate Change Behaviours on 14th December 2011. WWF Scotland has invited Professor Tim Kasser - http://www.knox.edu/tkasser.xml - to Edinburgh for a series of events, and our research conference is one of these.
A general invitation will be issued shortly. For now, however, we're issuing a call for papers for the conference. Anyone with research findings to communicate on climate change behaviours and values is welcome to submit an abstract / proposal, setting out what they would like to present. Please note that we probably won't be able to accept all proposals. Initial details of the event and how to submit an abstract are below.
Please feel free to circulate this call for papers to colleagues and around networks.
Background Information
Aims: To enable the audience to hear about and discuss research about values, and the importance of values in taking action on climate change.
Date and time: 14th December from 10am-4pm
Venue: Victoria Quay (Scottish Government building), Edinburgh. Main room holds 100, plus options for smaller sessions in adjacent rooms.
Likely audience: Mix of academics, doctoral students, environmental NGOs, Local Government staff, Scottish Government staff (policy-makers and analysts)
Format: Likely to be a mix of keynote presentations and smaller discussion groups. We might also have a panel session at the end of the day. We're not restricting the call to papers to particular themes at this stage, so the format of the event is still quite open.
How to submit an abstract: If you have relevant research findings to share, please prepare an abstract (short proposal) of no more than one page of A4, setting out the material you'd like to present. Please bear in mind that presentations in most cases will be 15 minutes long, although we might have flexibility for longer sessions in some cases (please indicate if you would need a longer slot). Please send your abstracts to paul.tyrer@scotland.gsi.gov.uk by Weds 19th October. We'll confirm by end October whether your paper's been selected for the event.
Dr Paul Tyrer
Principal Research Officer : Environment
RESAS
Scottish Government
Tel: (0131) 244 7331
- Aug 18, 11
…we have identified a set of values and beliefs which represent a fertile psychological orientation for ‘anti social behaviour’, particularly among the under 25s, those most in evidence during the riots.
We call this area the Danger Zone.
via cultdyn.co.ukInteresting analysis and perspective on the first 'consumer riots'. I've a lot of time for the approach of Cultural Dynamics.
- Aug 12, 11via greenbiz.com
We need more business leaders like Ray Anderson, the CEO of a successful multinational manufacturing company:
"He rediscovered a sacred earth with all its complexity, beauty and mystery, free from the constraints of this or that ideology, free from narrow-minded thinking, and he was freed to reimagine the relationship between humanity and nature with Interface as the model. No longer were there human systems and ecosystems. They were one system and he understood that the laws of physics and biology prevailed."
Sadly no longer with us. Click the link under the image for the full eulogy from Paul Hawken.
- Aug 04, 11
Recession Puts Babies on Hold
Tiny House Movement Thrives Amid Real Estate Bust
Home Production Falls as Economy Languishes
Global Coal Use Stagnates Despite Growing Chinese and Indian Markets
Total Municipal Waste Generation Dropped
Home Depot Calls a Halt to Rapid Expansion
European Union Carbon Pollution Drops
GM to Close Hummer
Gasoline Spike Fuels Surge in U.S.
Bicycle Sales Bottled Water Consumption Growth Slows
30-Year Growth Spurt Ends for Average American House Size
Ad Spending Down
Airlines Ground More Than 11% of Their Jets
Breast Implants are Deflating Along With the Economy
More Than 400 Meetings in Las Vegas Recently Cancelled
2nd Home Market Declined 30%Dave Gardner asks why alternative views on growth are not given airtime in coverage of the recession. Which is a good question given the presence of climate deniers to provide 'balance' on that subject.
http://steadystate.org/good-news-economic-recovery-stalls/ - Aug 03, 11
I vividly remember a young campaigner who was convinced that if only he could craft the perfect report, with impeccable evidence and flawless logic, it would change the minds of the people he wanted to influence. So often this seem to be the default position, but most of the time it's wrong - or at least not sufficient.
The Common Cause Handbook explains why, and outlines clearly how understanding and engaging with people's values is not only helpful, but almost certainly essential to bring about the sort of change that's needed in the world - and in our communities and organisations.
The Handbook is a superb and very readable summary of a large body of psychological research, so I wont waste time summarising the summary here. However, for me the most powerful insights are:
- Our values are connected - if we hold certain values, we are likely to hold certain other, related values;
- Appealing to particular values reinforces not only those values, but also related values;
- If, in promoting environmental or social behaviour change, we appeal to values like material success or social status, we are actually undermining the very changes we are seeking.
I could urge you to read the Handbook because it will help you earn higher consultancy fees, or to gain status in your organisation. But that would be reinforcing exactly the sort of values that got us into this environmental and social mess in the first place.
So I wont say that. Instead, read it to be inspired by it's potential to get us out of that mess and help people, organisations and planet to flourish.
Common Cause Handbook: online; download
- Jul 25, 11
Addressing climate change requires us to create "an alternative set of cultural meanings that don’t variously affirm and threaten different groups’ identities". Gore is wrong: climate change does not require, a "battle for people's souls".
Spot on!
- Jul 21, 11
Wise words from Alan - though as I comment on his blog - I'd go further.
Edit: click the link for the wise words - the image is really just decorative!
- Jul 20, 11
Got an email yesterday from someone looking for a copy of a report I wrote back in 2008, about the social return on investment from East Ayrshire Council's healthy, unprocessed, local and organic school meals. I thought it would be useful to repost the blog and report that were previously on our now-closed Footprint Consulting website.
I wrote:
There aren't many opportunities for a 6:1 return on your money at the moment, but East Ayrshire's school meals programme is one of them. East Ayrshire Council's healthy, unprocessed, local and organic school meals have won many awards, and now our study demonstrates the benefits in financial terms.I worked with Haldane Associates and used Social Return on Investment (SROI) methodology to calculate that the extra £71,000 spent on East Ayrshire's 'Food for Life' school meals last year (compared with 'normal' school meals), created over £500,000 of economic, social and environmental benefit for stakeholders.The £500,000 worth of benefits from the Food for Life school meals are in line with the objectives of East Ayrshire Council and other stakeholders, and contribute to the achievement of East Ayrshire's Single Outcome Agreement.Any study that aims to put financial value on non-financial benefits like a better health and a greener environment has to make many assumptions. Varying these assumptions - sensitivity analysis - suggests the value of the return is unlikely to be below £3 for every £1 invested.
I haven't worked with SROI for a while, and while it may seem a little removed from my current focus on supporting organisational and social change for sustainability, it's actually a very useful tool for engaging with some audiences. As I wrote in 2008:Calculating the social (and environmental) return on investment can help you: understand how your project is delivering benefit to society and the planet; communicate those benefits effectively; and plan future developments to get the best from limited resources. It's not the only tool, and it's not right for every situation, but I think it's pretty useful. Get in touch if you'd like to find out more.
And if anyone knows what's happened with the EAC school meals programme since then, I'd be interested to hear about it.
That invitation still stands! - Jul 19, 11
With support from Oxfam, WWF and Action for Children, the Public Interest Research Centre wrote the Common Cause handbook to summarise the relevant research on values and frames and its implications in a clear, concise and easily-digestible form. The Handbook outlines what values are; how they relate to frames; why they are important in addressing major national and international problems; and how they change over time. It argues for more involving and participatory groups and organisations, and emphasises the importance of working together across different organisations to help foster more 'intrinsic' values in society.
How come I missed the launch of this until now?
I've always been a huge admirer of Tom Crompton's work, but he deals with complex stuff and it's not always easy to grasp or get into. At a quick glance this handbook seems to live up to the claim to be 'clear, concise and easily-digestible'.
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Posts
- Apr 29, 12
Discovered this wonderful boathouse on an artificial lake at Gosford Estate in East Lothian. It's a big boathouse for such a small lake.
- Apr 28, 12
A gathering of Natural Change participants and facilitators took me to Inverie on Knoydart for a week recently. Knoydart is a peninsula in North West Scotland that is only accessible by sea - or on foot over the mountains.
Introduced me to sleeping out in a bivvy bag under a tarp. Will be taking these on my voyages in Scratch in the future.
Had a chat with a couple who arrived from Tarbert by open canoe and camped at Inverie. The campsite is between the fence and the sea.
As we were leaving by ferry the next day we saw them making for their haul out just around this headland.
The weather forecast had been for heavy rain most of the time; but the weather gods were kind to us.
Skye is probably further than it looks. But in the right conditions... Must come back here with Scratch some time.
Wonderful event, wonderful people, wonderful place.
- Mar 18, 12
Wonderful spring day today so I couldn't resist making the first sail of the year. A steady F3 from the west and a calm sea. Everything in the boat was as I'd left it last year and she was bone dry. I've been checking occassionally over the winter and the tarpaulin, over the mizzen mast used as a ridge pole, is doing its job.
I tried out my new compass to find the best position to mount it. Didn't want to put it too far forward so I could look down on the compass while rowing - this might make it easier to row a straight line. Fitted the bracket back in the boat yard.
The sun was lighting up the sails. Difficult to photograph while in the boat.
The leech of the mainsail flutters quite a lot on some points of sail. I suspect the sailmaker didn't allow sufficiently for the flex in the boom and yard. The boom certainly flexes quite a lot when the downhaul is hauled down hard - which I've been told is must be to help the boat point well into the wind.
Always good to see Edinburgh's skyline from the sea. - Feb 14, 12
Last month we went for a walk at Aberlady Bay, and as the tide was out wandered down to look at the remains of the midget submarines.Wouldn't want to run into these while sailing across the sands.
- Feb 14, 12
First time on the water for far too long. With no wind and flat seas I took Selkie, my canoe, rather than Scratch. Quicker and easier to launch, no need for the quad bike and the portage trolley comes too. Yes, I row my canoe.
A strange, calm, dampish, hazy day. Sky line dominated by church spires backlit by the low sun through the clouds.
Portobello Old Parish church, Bellfield St. Church at corner of Windsor Place and High St, now retirement flats.
Raft of gulls on the way to Fisherrow. Occassional warmth in the sun.
St Phillips, Portobello.
Fisherrow Harbour.
Looking up the River Esk.
In the distance, St Michaels, Inveresk.
At the mouth of the Esk. The waves mark the long sandbank formed by the river. Arthurs Seat behind Portobello.
Cockenzie Power Station.
Time for home, no time for photos. Said I'd be back by 5. I was, just.
- Aug 27, 11
An imagination approach to tacking in heavy weather without a mizzen from Ben:
http://theinvisibleworkshop.blogspot.com/2011/08/ssummer-cruise-part-6-sudden... - Aug 01, 11
A couple of months ago I was invited to talk at Nights of Adventure to raise funds and awareness for Hope and Homes for Children.
I was one of "an eclectic group of adventurous souls came together to give an evening of Pecha Kucha style talks". Each talk consists of 20 slides which scroll automatically after just 20 seconds.
Organiser Alastair Humphreys said: "It is an unusual, challenging presentation format" - damn right it is, especially when you know there are 400 people in the audience, but you can't see any of them as you're blinded by the spotlights!
You can watch videos of other presenters here - most of them are real adventurers who run across the Sahara, walk to the Poles etc. You can make a donation here.
Image by Gary Troughton via Flickr
- Aug 01, 11
Even if the wind is fitful and the weather changeable, it's good to be on the water.I launched late morning from Portobello beach and spent the day on the Firth of Forth, sailing, rowing and fishing.
I'm in the early stages of getting to grips with video and I'm discovering it's not as easy at it looks - and realising the amount of time it takes to produce even a short video.
As a result I'm increasingly appreciating the skill - and commitment - of Dylan Winter with his Keep Turning Left series. His sailing videos are superb, but then he is a professional video maker!
- Jul 10, 11
I've known for long time I ought to practice capsizing, but I've never quite got around to it. On Sail Caledonia, the evening at Loch Oich is scheduled for capsize practice. After initial reluctance, in view of the cold weather, I decided it was too good an opportunity to miss and climbed into my drysuit.
The only other boat to go for it was Elsie, a Caledonian Yawl, seen here bailing out.
Over we go. I capsized by sailing a beam reach, pulling the boom into the centre line and moving myself to the leeward gunwale.
With bouyancy tanks fore and aft, and forming the side benches, the Walkabout floats high.
Floating high, and the wind on her hull, she's turned turtle.
The bungie which holds the daggerboard down did its job even while inverted. It was easy enough to grab the board, and pull Scratch back onto her side.
Keep pulling. I can't remember if I actually had to climb onto the board, but she certainly came up very easily.
And up she came. I was easily able to boost myself over the gunwale without needing a strop for my foot.
Once aboard I discovered the water came to just below the seat tops, and - at least in these calm conditions - she was stable enough for me to stand up to bail her out.Martin Balcombe, chair of Sail Caledonia, and an experienced dinghy cruiser and sailing instructor, was very impressed with Scratch's performance in the capsize practice, a testament to John Welsford's excellent design.
A couple of days later I capsized for real (at the bottom of this post) and was grateful I'd taken this opportunity.
Lessons learned - and stuff to think about:
- Capsize practice is important. If you haven't already done it, do it!
- Keep everything secure so it can't float away. For the practice I'd taken all my kit out. I had already been securing it all with lanyards, but the test reinforced the importance of this.
- When I capsized for real, I didn't have the daggerboard down - but I knew I'd need it so it was the first thing I grabbed to prevent it floating away. Not sure I'd want to tie it in with a lanyard though. Anyway, I'm almost sure I'm going to change to a swinging off--centreboard over the winter.
- My anchor lives in chocks under the foredeck and is held in place with bungie. It was fine in the test, but did shift in the real capsize test, although it didn't actually come loose. I think I'll replace the bungie with lashings.
- Capsizing for real, there was a lot of stuff floating around attached with light lanyards, including the oars. There's a real risk of getting tangled in the lines. I plan to keep lanyards as short as possible to minimise the risk.
All images © John Macpherson)
- Jul 05, 11
Michael Storer's Goat Island Skiff has the same sail configuration as my Walkabout. Some useful advice about downwind sailing - would have come in useful on my recent trip along the Great Glen. (click the link under the photo)
- Jul 04, 11
On my recent trip along the Great Glen, I slept for six nights in my boat tent. I only finished making the tent the day before I left and hadn't even had time to put it up, let alone test it. Luckily it worked, but I'm not sure the boat tent is going to be my favourite overnight accommodation. (Image © John Macpherson) Making the tent I - more or less - followed the plans that John Welsford supplied with the boat plans. Wooden blocks to hold the ends of the poles. I had hoped to use the rowlock sockets, but they weren't in the right place, at least not forward, and the angle of them put too much curve on the poles. Gelert tent poles seem to be the only poles readily available on the internet. They do the job, but the curve is pretty much near the limit of their flexibility, and the elastic for threading them doesn't last long. I used polythene dust-sheets to make the pattern. Medium duty from B&Q is tissue-thin, if I was doing this again I'd use something heavier. Adjusting to get a good fit was tricky, especially as the poles keep flexing.I bought all my supplies from Point North who were very helpful. I could have used a breathable fabric, but settled on coated nylon (D4 at Points North) as it was much cheaper.
I sewed and fitted the body of the the tent before fitting the doors. The doors I finally completed the day before I set off.
First night in the boat tent. One thing I hadn't thought about was getting in and out of the tent when moored against the lock wall like this! It can be done with care.In addition to the wide doors on either side, as specified by JohnW, I also made small openings either end so I could adjust the mooring lines.
I choose a dark colour because of the short nights in Scotland, I didn't want the light wakening me. As we had little sun on the trip I couldn't test this feature too well.
Looking aft. The camera is on the part of the foredeck inside the coaming, the grey thing is my shoulder, my head's under the camera. While there's quite a lot of room, there's also quite a lot of stuff - two pairs of oars, buckets, daggerboard, tiller etc, let alone my bags, sleeping bag and so on. I didn't have any food or cooking equipment as catering was provided on the barge, Fingal of Caldeonia, I slept on two Thermarest self inflating mattresses; very comfortable.
So how was it?
In a word - damp. Not any fault of the design, but the weather. It rained heavily at the start of the trip, it was windy and pretty cold.
Putting up the tent was easy so long as I started at the windward end. The next step was to wipe the entire inside of the boat down with a sponge to remove the rain and mud. I could then put down the sleeping mats and get into my sleeping bag.
But with the combination of rain and condensation, the inside of the tent was soon covered in droplets of water. Some of this was from the seams, but I think it was mainly condensation, despite the vent I'd included at the suggestion of the helpful woman at PointNorth. And then the drops ran down the inside of the tent, and if the rain was heavy and it was windy, water dropped onto to me too. This was partly I think due to the tunnel design which means the 'roof' is fairly flat - with a ridge pole tent the water is more likely to run down the walls.Getting into and out of the tent without creating a shower of water from the fabric was impossible. I slept with my oilskins over my sleeping bag. A couple of times I had to sponge the floor dry when I woke up in the night. Fitting guylines at each end running to the masts might help keep the fabric tight and avoid so much dripping.
Having said all this, I'm not sure I'd have been much better off camping on land in a small tent - on one bad night several of the people camping on land had their tents blow down, or at least had the walls pushed against them by the strong winds.The tent packs up small and takes very little room, so I think it's worth taking on any trip for emergencies or for when camping ashore is not possible. However, if I was cruising where wild camping was legal (Scotland) I think I'd take a normal tent and try and find a pleasant on shore campsite if I could.
Of course, if we'd been blest with great weather, I might be singing the praises of my boat tent!
- Jun 27, 11
My recent week-long trip along the Great Glen, as part of Sail Caledonia, was a great opportunity to really get to know Scratch, my Walkabout (kind comments from designer John Welsford), and to improve my sailing skills. Here are some of the things I discovered. (Image © Dimitris Prokakis)
My normal sailing area is the Firth of Forth. I usually only have a couple of hours on the water, so I rarely sail to anywhere in particular. Depending on the wind direction, I tend to either tack upwind for a while and then return, or reach back and forward. I rarely have to worry about my upwind sailing ability - or have the chance to test it against other boats.
Gaining on Oughted Whilly Boat Storyteller (Image © John Macpherson)Sail Caledonia was a different story. Narrow lochs and a specific destination to head for - either the race course or supper, or both! I soon discovered my upwind sailing skills were not great. Thanks to the iPhone, an email to the Welsford Builders Forum soon resulted in some useful advice. The only piece of advice I could act on at the time was to keep the luff very tight. I knew that, but for some reason had allowed things to get a bit slack. I was also given useful advice to add, and use, telltales, and ways of lacing the sail to improve tension. I'll explore these in due course.
Medusa and Lapsus racing in the driving rain. I'm crewing in Lapsus where I learnt a few tricks (Image © John Macpherson)After this, rather annoyingly, I only had one opportunity for upwind sailing! That's slightly unfair; I could have entered a race at the south end of Loch Ness on the day we were waiting at Fort Augustus for the wind to ease. However, I decided to crew for Bart in Lapsus rather than risk struggling in rather wild conditions - more of this in a later post.
Apparently, whatever the wind direction across the country, the wind in the Great Glen is always either up or down the Glen. As the wind was generally south westerly, between F3 and F6, we were blown up Glen like peas in a peashooter. A great opportunity to test the Walkabout's downwind sailing ability. In a word - superb.
Oughtred Caledonian Yawl Elsie on a run (Image © John Macpherson)In two races, all running or broad reaching Scratch steadily gained on and overtook most of the boats in her class. The only boat that we couldn't catch was the much larger Caledonian Yawl, Elsie. To achieve this performance we needed the stronger winds, in lighter airs some of the other boats gained ground.
Looking north east up Loch Ness (Image from Nasa)
Loch Ness is a big body of water - 27 miles long - and with the wind pushing up the glen, waves build up quite strongly. On the Thursday we were to sail the whole length of the loch in two races, before and after lunch. The wind was very light at the start, although forecast to rise later, so I set off without a reef. I sailed off the pontoon and the short distance down the canal onto the loch, rather than rowing which is my normal way of leaving dry land. In the event the wind was so light, I drifted very slowly towards the start line and, even with lots of tiller waggling, got there after everyone else had left.
The wind soon rose and we made good progress down the loch, steadily gaining on the rest of the fleet - except the three boats Lapsus, Medusa and Somervind, which had chosen to do the 'Loch Ness Challenge' - a longer race to the head of the loch, back into the wind, and then up to the head again. (Only Medusa completed that race, the others found beating back down the loch too much for more than a short time.)
Scratch, downwind under full sail. Given the forecast, and the fact no rowing was planned, I was in my drysuit. (Image © John Macpherson)The course was a zigzag up the loch, running and broad reaching, finishing at Urquhart Castle. I felt pretty good about my performance here - the wind by now was F5 with gusts, and a swell of 3 feet or so had got up. Broad reaching towards the castle with full sail was exhilarating. If I'd been sailing alone I'd certainly have reefed by now, but I was racing and in second place - and there were safety boats out with us.
Hurley, a Drascombe Longboat, heading toward the finish line below Castle Urquhart (Image © Steve Sim)The finish line was beyond the castle in the bay, after crossing it I had to tack up to the beach below the castle. With the castle, promontory and trees the wind was very flukely, and I had to sail back out into the loch into the full force of the wind as I tacked in. After racing with Lapsus the day before, I was confidently sitting up on the side deck with the tiller extension (hiking stick) in hand. I made it on to the beach, managing to keep the mast out of the trees. Despite the perhaps more extreme sailing to come later that day, this part - the last broad reach, over the line and up to the beach, is the bit of sailing in the whole trip of which I feel most proud.
Lunch below Urquhart Castle (Image © John Macpherson)After lunch, Martin, Sail Caledonia's head honcho, briefed us about the change of plan. The wind wasn't now forecast to ease in the afternoon, the waves at the north end were 3 - 4 feet and choppy. The final leg of the race was cancelled. Instead we were to sail up the loch keeping together and close by the safety boats.
I furled the mizzen and reefed the main. I also shifted my bags to bring the weight a bit further aft and made sure my drogue (sea-anchor) was ready to deploy in case I needed to get the sail fully down. The drogue would not only stop us drifting to fast, but also keep us head to wind, and waves, while I got the sail down.
The Loch Ness sleigh ride (Image © Derek Wales)
As soon as I left the shelter of the castle we were hurling up the loch as a great pace, heading for the southern side as the waves were reportedly less severe over there. The instruction to keep close to the rest of the fleet was impossible to follow - we were flying and I was already fully reefed. I think most others were under jib or jib and mizzen.
Scratch from Hurley as I overtook. I don't remember quite so much whitewater. (Image © Derek Wales)
The swell was quite impressive, but Scratch handled it beautifully so long as I kept my weight right back. One time, I can't remember why, I moved forward a bit, and the bow was buried in the back of the wave ahead of us - but even so the surface of the wave remained below the level of the deck.
It was never actually alarming, but I felt I was right on the edge of my ability here, this was definitely learning by doing. But after a while, I started to feel more on top of things, especially as Scratch's seaworthiness became more and more evident.
I think another set of reef points would help keep the speed down. (Image © Derek Wales)Given the speed we were traveling it wasn't long - either that or time was flying - before I needed to broad reach across to the northern side to avoid getting trapped in the bay at Dores. We then continued towards the narrows which lead into Loch Dochfour. I spotted one of the big sightseeing boats heading out of the narrows. Not wanting to find out how much space we both needed, I reached across towards Lochend.Despite the intense concentration I was enjoying this immensely. (Image © Derek Wales)Once the cruiser had moved on, I decided to head back towards the narrows. The wind was F5/6, the waves 3 - 4 ft and very choppy as we were getting near the head of the loch. Tack or gybe? Tack or gybe? I saw one of the safety had headed over to check on me. No standing rigging, let the mainsheet go all the way out - a gybe will be fine. I gybed. As the boom went across, the tiller caught on my body as I passed it behind me, and - over we went.Thanks to the capsize test a couple of days before I was not alarmed - especially as the safety boat was nearby. They soon gave me a line and made sure nothing important was floating away, took me on board and gently towed Scratch, floating on her side to the shallows. Given the waves, and the lee shore, they felt that would be more sensible than me trying to right and bail out Scratch. I think I could have, especially with the drogue to slow the drift and keep her head to wind, but I was happy to rest.The fleet at Loch Dochfour (Image © John Macpherson)Once in the shallows, in a little sheltered bay, we took a line to the trees, and I bailed her out, raised the sail, and sailed on to another little bay at the head of Loch Doch Four where the fleet were gathering.Even as I was surfing Loch Ness, feeling very pleased at how well I was doing in these pretty wild conditions, I thought to myself……pride comes before a fall. Indeed it does, and before a capsize. (Image © Derek Wales)Lessons learnt - and things to think about- Scratch is powerful and fast downwind, especially in stronger winds. Keep weight aft.
- Perhaps too fast in F5/6, I was in control all the time, but near the edge. A second set of reef points perhaps.
- Keep the luff really tight for upwind sailing. I've since re-arrange the downhaul cleat to make this easier.
- Consider fitting telltales.
- The gap between the end of the boom and the tiller was too tight, making it difficult to put the tiller across when keeping out of the way of the boom when gybing. I've since shortened the tiller by 6 inches of so, a definite improvement.
- I've since been quite strongly advised that the Fleecy Buff and Tilley Hat combo is not a good look.
- Jun 17, 11From west to east across Scotland by sail and oar, along the Great Glen, is surely one of the world's great journeys. The stunning scenery, the magnificent engineering of the Caledonian Canal, and a superb opportunity to test oneself, and ones boat, is challenging conditions, while being supported by a professional team.I did this voyage as part of Sail Caledonia, a 'raid' organised by the Great Glen Boating Club. This was the first time I've taken part, but I doubt it will be the last. I had a great time, gained valuable experience and enjoyed lots of time on the water. I'll be writing later about the experience and some of the lessons I've learnt, but for now, here's a few photos.Launching, Lochaber Yacht Club, Fort William © Bart MullerAuk and Scratch waiting to enter the sea lock at Corpach © John Macpherson
Coming into the sea lock at Corpach © John Macpherson
Scratch with tent © John Macpherson. It wasn't all hardship. Fingal of Caledonia, the barge in the background, provided supper and bar every night - as well as breakfast and packed lunches.Lunch time, Loch Lochy
Lapsus at anchorRowing along the canal to Laggan Bridge © Bart MullerScratch and Storyteller, an Oughtred Whilly BoatEnjoying a tow from Hurley, Drascombe Longboat
Bart Muller, Lapsus. Racing on Loch Ness, crewing for Bart in Lapsus. F4/5 and heavy rain. Learnt a few tricks from Bart.
Capsize practice: over we go © John MacphersonComing up © John Macpherson
Evidence of sun on Loch Ness in the morning.
Running up Loch Ness © Dimitris Prokakis. The wind had been light earlier, but had now risen F5. I hadn't reefed, I was doing well in the race and wanted to keep it that way.Hurley arrives at Urquhart Castle © Steve Sim. No photo of Scratch arriving - we were already here having finished second. Ha!
Loch Oich © John Macpherson
Scratch and Storyteller © John Macpherson
Running on Loch Oich © John Macpherson
Running on Loch Ness © Dimitris Prokakis. Before setting off after lunch I'd reefed as far as I could. Reef in the main and the mizzen furled.
Surfing on Loch Ness © Dimitris Prokakis. Glad of those reefs. F5/6, 1m waves at this end of Loch Ness.
Resting after the hard sailing on Loch Ness. The flotilla gathered together before heading up Loch Dochfour and into the canal to Dochgarroch.
The swing bridge carrying the A862 opens for us at Muirton © Steve Sim
Waiting for the locks at Muirton © John Macpherson
Scratch at N Kessock by Chris Perkins
End of the voyage © Chris Perkins. On the slip way at North Kessock on the Beauly Firth.One of the great side benefits of sailing in company, is that I at last have some good photos of Scratch sailing. Thanks to all the various photographers. Links to some of the original photos - and many more - on the Sail Caledonia Facebook page and the Sail Caledonia Galleries. All images here are © the photographer as noted. Those unattributed are either mine, or from someone else - and I forgot who - but can find out if you want to use the images.I plan to write up different aspects of this wonderful week in the future, in particular focussing on what I learnt about my boat and my sailing skills.
- Jun 07, 11
- Jun 05, 11
Home yesterday after a tremendous journey by sail and oar across Scotland from west to east as part of Sail Caledonia - across a sea loch, the Caledonian Canal, Loch Ness and on to the Beauly Firth. Over 50 nm as the crow flies.
One thing I learnt is that sailing singlehanded, it's difficult to take photographs, especially in more exciting conditions. There's a lot I want to write about, but I'll wait until I have access to other people's photographs.
Over the next few weeks, I plan to share my experience of long distance cruising in the Welsford Walkabout, including sleeping on board under the boat tent. This will include the news that not only is it possible to surf in the Walkabout, but also that you can travel most of the length of Loch Ness that way. I'll also tell how I went swimming with Nessie.
- May 29, 11
Arrived at Lochaber Yacht Club yesterday and met up with the rest of the Sail Caledonia fleet. Launched and sailed to the entrance to the Caledonian Canal at Corpach. The wind was F5/6, so it was quite a sleigh ride under reefed main and no mizzen. Tried out my new boat tent for the first time last night. It stayed up and didn't leak too much in the heavy wind and rain. Bit saggy in middle, could probably do with guy ropes to the top of the hoops. This morning drove the car and trailer to Inverness while the boats went up Neptunes Staircase - a sequence of eight locks. The raid organisers kindly took Scratch through while I was away.After lunch, a rowing race along the canal. Fast with a strong following wind, but very difficult to keep the boat straight. Apparently a chop on the canal is unusual. Eventually I was unable to keep the boat straight in a gust, touched the bank and leapt out with a line. Safety boat was on hand, and one of the guys offered to come and take the tiller. I decided this was no time to be proud. Having the extra weight at the stern, and most importantly having the rudder down, made a huge difference - like rowing a different boat. Might try lashing the tiller if I'm rowing in those conditions again. Racing on Loch Lochy is scheduled for tomorrow. Hoping the weather improves. This morning Loch Ness had a four foot swell and lots of white horses. Blowing right up the loch.
Photo © Bart Muller
- May 28, 11
It seemed like a great idea all those months ago when I signed up for Sail Caledonia. Looks more like madness from the cafe in Tyndrum in the Highlands, sheets of rain falling outside, and news on the radio that bridges are closed due to high winds.I'm on the road to Fort William for the start of the week long raid by sail and oar, from one side of Scotland to the other, along the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness to Inverness.
The sun is shining now, time for a dash to the car, and onwards to the launch point. I just wish we didn't have a week of wind force 5 and rain forecast. At least the wind is south westerly.
- Jan 28, 11
20+ knots from the cockpit of an openboat at sea looks something like this... David Perillo's Navigator Jaunty
Over on the John Welsford Builders forum there's been a discussion about the differences between some of his boats as people decide which one to build.In the process, John reveals some more information about Walkabout:
On 25/01/2011 4:38 AM, John Welsford wrote
Walkabout, as someone pointed out, was designed for the Maine Island Trail, or more exactly a trip from North Carolina to northern Maine which involved rivers, canals, wide stretches of tidal shallows with potentially strong winds, (very choppy) and wide open ocean spaces of up to 50 miles in the North Atlantic, she's without a doubt the most seaworthy of all my open boats, and some of the other designs have completed some astounding journeys.
Alan followed up with:
Hello John
Would you care to elaborate further on how & why you regard Walkabout as your most seaworthy open boat?
On 25 January 2011 18:43, John Welsford wrote:That's about a half hour lecture Alan. But it has to do with a hull shape that has a particular righting moment curve, that is of a shape that will ride heavy seas without rolling heavily, a rig that can be struck and is of very moderate area, built in bouyancy enough to sail the boat when swamped, decked in ends, fine ended shape and on and on.She is a boat that is primarily a rowing boat with some concession to sailing, sails well but does not have the wide beam and high initial stability of the others which are sailing boats first and foremost. They will sail better, but for ultimate survival the Walkabout has an edge on the others.Mind you we are talking about conditions here that no reasonable person would consider taking an open boat out in, and David Perillo will tell you that midnight in 35 knots of wind and cresting 3 metre waves 20 miles off shore was a good trial for his Navigator and he's still here to tell the tale.John WelsfordI've no plans to go out in anything like those conditions, but it's reassuring to know Scratch could cope, so long as I develop the necessary skills - and enough sea room. She certainly handled beautifully in my first experience of bad weather - on Scatch's first voyage.Here's a video of David Perillo in his Navigator in less extreme weather:I've just ordered a waterproof camera, so I should soon be able to post more pictures and videos of Scratch on the water. But I doubt I'll have enough spare hands for filming in very rough seas!
- Dec 05, 10
You may have heard we've had more snow than we usually do here in Scotland. Today I decided that walks on the beach are really no substitute for rowing. Clear blue sky, slight sea and a light westerly - time to row.I set off down the road to the sailing club mid-morning, but it wasn't quite a straightforward as expected.
First task. Clear the snow and ice of Scratch.
Then discover the quad bike battery is flat. Work out how remove seat to get at battery. Find tool kit and remove leads. Discover battery is jammed in place with straw and muck. Get light cord from boat. Fix to terminals and use it as a handle to lift the battery out. Take battery home, find charger...
Back to the beach where the council have left a huge pile of snow at the top of the access ramp. Luckily I'd spotted this yesterday and brought my shovel. Shift snow and spread some sand off the beach on the ramp.
Back home, quick early lunch. Remove battery from charger, take battery back to the sailing club, put quad back together.
Quad starts! Tow Scratch down to the beach. Return quad to yard. Launch Scratch leaving trolley on the beach.
The eagle-eyed viewer will have noticed the foremast is still in the boat. Frozen into the mast step.
And we're off. Rowed eastward to the end of the beach and then returned westward, past the end of the beach, past the cat and dog home and then into a minute bay next to the sewage works. The wind had risen a bit and a wanted a bit of shelter to eat my flapjack and drink my coffee.
It was amazing how much clearer the air is in this weather. I don't think I've ever seen so much detail in Fife across the water - I could see the layout of the streets in the towns. Unfortunately my camera phone was unable to do justice to the scene.
As I headed home around half three the sun was starting to set behind a snow covered Arthurs Seat.
- Nov 28, 10
No sailing or rowing today. At times the air has been completely still, but the sea is rough and higher winds are forecast. So just a walk on the beach with the camera.A contrast to Friday when an urban sprawl of sandcastles was being washed away by the incoming tide.
