Our Team
Martin Downing
Martin has lived in Comrie for two years but has been walking, cycling and skiing in the hills around the village for over 20.
He is a Chartered Engineer with a career spanning more than 40 years in mining and energy developments. Prior to retiring he was involved in the design and planning submissions for onshore wind farm around Scotland. He has, however, become more and more concerned over the proliferation of wind farms across the Scottish mountains, with no national strategy and little consideration of the effects on the landscape and wider environment.
His broad experience gives him an insight not only into the technical issues around wind farm construction and the planning process, but also how governments can have drastic impacts through ill considered decisions on energy policy.
Jen Newall
Jen is a former Earth Systems scientist whose research focused on landscape evolution, glaciology and climate.
In 2021 she left her career as a scientist to focus her energy in local action and community resilience building - playing an active role guiding various successful community led campaigns across Scotland. She now works as a freelance consultant at the confluence of Ecosystem Restoration and Regenerative cultures, as well as being a nature connection guide.
A Comrie resident, Jen's involvement in the Save Glen Lednock campaign is nested in a bigger picture of systemic change and roots much deeper than simply stopping the turbines though it is a critical first step.
Felicity Martin
Felicity is a freelance writer and photographer who has lived in Comrie for 15 years and in Strathearn since 1980. Her work focuses on Scotland and includes walks guidebooks and articles about travel, nature and outdoor activities. Land use, habitat restoration and connection with nature are ongoing interests. She is a member of the Strathearn Ramblers and Comrie Community Woodland.
David Spaven
David spent his working life in and around the rail industry, and has been a campaigner for sustainable transport since his late teens. Most notably in the fight against the M74 Northern Extension in Glasgow (which convinced the Inquiry Reporter to reject the motorway plan, but sadly not the Scottish Executive), and as a key member of the successful 20-year campaign to re-open the Borders Railway. He is also an award-winning author, and lives in Comrie.
Andrew Thompson
A retired professional forester and conservation land manager, Andrew has lived in Comrie for 15 years. He is active as a volunteer with several local conservation charities including Comrie Community Woodland. Having walked the hills, glens and woods of Strathearn since 2000 he has come to know Glen Lednock and surrounding landscapes as special and iconic places. Andrew is committed to fighting bad land use practices and industrial scale energy developments that threaten to destroy the special qualities of his home environment - of local and national importance.