The Beeches

	ABOUT THE BEECHES The Beeches is our traditional stone built Victorian home on the outskirts of Newtonmore village in the Highlands of Scotland. It has been lovingly restored to offer comfortable accommodation for ten house guests and is set in its own private grounds within mature gardens. It is within walking distance of public transport for those wishing to travel by train or coach and there is ample parking space for cars. The Beeches is situated on Spey side and boasts beautiful local scenery with hills beyond on all sides and the River Spey only a few minutes walk form the front door. There is also a purpose designed Studio in the grounds, with its own facilities for training experiences.
	Our course participants are invited to be full board, house guests for the duration of their experience, with the possibility of extra nights of accommodation depending on personal or group requirements. There is a special, tranquil atmosphere in and around The Beeches and one of our main aims is to offer a nurturing, ambient environment in which to learn and grow.
	The Meaning of The Beeches The house was built in 1897 and moved into by Dave and Judith in the Spring of 2002. It is now aptly named The Beeches in light of the predominance of lofty Beech trees adorning the mature grounds surrounding the traditional, stone built dwelling. It has since come to our attention that the Beech tree is renowned in nature for its protective and nurturing qualities, sometimes called ‘the mother’ of the forest. It is said to encourage us to let go of old patterns and fixed ideas that may be limiting our progression through life. This release is said to allow us to absorb life’s lessons with wisdom and joy, facilitating growth and personal development.
	The Beech tree is historically associated with the inception of writing, when thin sheets of Beech wood were used as the first medium for manuscripts. Beeches are thus reputed to assist us to touch and learn from our ancient wisdom and help us formulate positive ways for the future. This ethos is very much in keeping with our personal and professional philosophy and therefore we realise that The Beeches is more aptly named than we may have first thought.
	ABOUT THE OWNERS Dave Craig and Judith Huggan are life and business partners with a plethora of professional skills and competencies that articulate well together. While both are successful in their own businesses, they decided to develop their joint working relationship by purchasing The Beeches in Spring 2002, with the intention of creating a harmonious haven where people could reside and learn new skills. This oasis of calm has now been created and they adore living in and around their lovingly restored Victorian home and working together more of the time.
	Dave Craig has a background in Education and Community Work and is exceptionally well known in the field of Outdoor activity training and First Aid. He has extensive experience in offering high quality training opportunities specialising in Canadian Canoeing, Snow Sports, Hill walking and environmental appreciation. All levels of capability are catered for including introductory, advanced and recreational courses in these disciplines. His First Aid tuition offers certificate courses that can meet the needs of all groups or individuals with specialist expertise in practical outdoor scenarios.
	Judith Huggan also comes from an Educational, lecturing background and is a tutor and practitioner of a wide range of complementary therapies. She established The Edinburgh Therapy Academy in 1998 to offer ITEC (International Therapy Examination Council) Diploma courses in Complementary Therapies and has since launched a Highland branch of her training school. She offers an extensive Post Graduate training programme at The Beeches and tutors abroad as part of her ongoing professional development. Judith and Dave join together to offer experiences that successfully merge outdoor activities with complementary therapies, affording clients a delightful, holistic experience at The Beeches.
	COURSES AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AT THE BEECHES Our training programmes are always tailor made to benefit participants both personally and professionally. Our holistic considerations of your needs mean that carefully selected training programmes can fully meet specified aims and objectives thus facilitating more effective functioning in all areas of your life. Our main areas of provision are ~ Outdoor experiences, Complementary therapies, Practical stress and anxiety management and First aid.
	It is important to us that all training opportunities address the particular criteria and aims of the participants. Where beneficial, it is possible to engage in a variety of experiences from the range noted. Alternatively you may be seeking qualification or experience in a particular area ~ for example First Aid. When we are aware of your group or individual needs we can then sculpt a programme to meet your professional and personal requirements.
	In order to give you a taste of the type of experiences possible under each of the designated study areas, there follows a brief outline of some possibilities. Keep in mind that it is possible and often hugely beneficial to mix and match experiences to facilitate a variety of opportunities that cater for all tastes and preferences.