I joined Galbraith as a Graduate Rural Surveyor in September 2017. Fast forward seven years and I am now in a more senior position within the Energy and Rural Business Streams.

The reason I became a surveyor was because I didn’t want a career in which I sat at a desk day in and day out. I certainly don’t get that with my day job regularly being “out and about” whether it’s providing valuation inspections, negotiating damages for compensation claims, carrying out work for Single Application Forms or sitting on Compulsory Purchase panels. In reality, it is really only renewable energy that allows me to be in the office! I love the variety that my job offers and the business environment that we work in.

Galbraith is a lot different to other firms. As well as being able to gain a huge amount of experience in the day job, the extracurricular and networking opportunities are also brilliant. We are encouraged to get involved as much as possible and that is a great opportunity with both hands!

I grew up on a beef and arable farm in Fife and as such I spent a lot of my childhood at the Bull Sales and now attend the Bull Sales as a more professional level. Galbraith sponsors many shows up the United Kingdom and my colleagues and I have been at the Highland Show (always a hit!) in Edinburgh and regularly attend the Fife Show as part of our office’s activities. There is always a good buzz around the events and being behind the Bulls Sales yard provides exciting atmospheres to get work done and gives us the chance to reconnect with clients who we perhaps haven’t seen in a while.

The Firm’s curling team is a highlight! There are now six of us across our offices across the country, we’re competing in the annual Farmers Trophy curling bonspiel, and some social evening games in Kinross. It’s a great way to have a catch up out of the working environment (and we’ll always be in our branded gilets!). As a member of the Cupar office, the Fife Show is our biggest day in the year with our stand looking over the main ring. However, the Royal Highland Show is where we tend to gather all offices and invite both new and old clients for a bite to eat and a little bit of craic. After we’ve done the rounds, we always head up to “Avon Street” or “House of Mule Avenue” so if you see us and you are one of our clients or staff, then say hello.

In my time at Galbraith I have participated in several Firm-wide charity events, ranging from cycle races, hikes and head shave fundraisers. There have been some very touching cases, where colleagues have raised money for charity cycles. In summer 2023, we cycled from Lands End to John O’Groats raising funds for RSABI and My Name’s Doddie Foundation (MNDs). We went even bigger in March 2024 with the “All Roads Lead to Rome” cycle, which was an initiative organised by the former Scotland Rugby Captain, Rob Wainwright which again saw money and awareness raised for these great work and MND. These events were huge Galbraith staff this cycle well over 3500 miles and raise over £20,000 for our local charities. There is always a great buzz on the day and a lot of laughter between offices and I look forward to taking part in my next challenge (and beating my colleagues!).

I have also represented Galbraith at the Glen Challenge, which is one of our great client events in the beautiful Glenfeshie. It is a one-day team event run by Upland Safari and the Atholl Estates team. It’s a great event against in cycling, kayaking, walking and running, covering a 49km route from Fort August to Fort William to raise money for RSABI. It is a well-run event and great way to network, learn about new clients and have a lot of fun.

Throughout the year, there is a range of networking events where we can meet clients and others across the business. Some recent events have been trips to drinks receptions, rugby matches, Edinburgh networking events and even rugby tournaments, and hunt races. There is something for everyone and you can take part in as much or as little as you wish.

The now bi-annual Galbraith Summit is the final thing I’ll mention but one of the biggest things I love about working at Galbraith. Last year we went to Crieff Hydro and heard from a variety of inspiring and energised speakers. The conference ends with a formal dinner and ceilidh – always a firm favourite of mine!

Galbraith also places a real emphasis on mentoring and development, both formally through our Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is imperative as a surveyor and it’s great that Galbraith support this with a lot of training days and courses. I always leave a training session feeling that little bit more confident and energised. It’s great to be able to share this experience with others and talk to those in different departments. It’s great to hear from other people across our industry.