Interview with geologist and hill and moorland leader - Gemma Scougal

13-07-2022 • 1 hr

Do you look at Kinder Scout in awe, wondering how the landscape was formed? In this interview with Gemma Scougal, we explore some of the geological features and the stories behind them. You’ll also hear about her first impression of Kinder Scout, how her passion for the outdoors has developed, why she decided to qualify as a Hill and Moorland Leader, and how she communicates her scientific knowledge in an engaging way when leading groups. At the end she describes what makes her wild about Kinder Scout. While listening, you can experience atmospheric background sounds recorded from the area - headphones will be best for this.

Gemma is a professional geologist who, after a geology field trip to Castleton as an undergraduate, was thrilled when she moved closer to the Peak. She never gets bored of coming to Kinder; it’s full of wonderful stories to tell through geological, natural and human history. In 2018 she founded her side-hustle, WildWays, as a way to share her passion and enthusiasm for the outdoors with others, providing guided walks and navigation skills in the Peak District and South Yorkshire designed for all abilities. As well as earth sciences, she loves running, road cycling, climbing and hill walking.

Questions

How can you best describe your personal connection with Kinder Scout?
How do you feel when you spend time here?
When did you first come here and what was that experience like?
How has your appreciation and passion for the outdoors developed?
Where do you think is a good place for people to start if they haven’t grown up being outdoors a lot?
Why did you decide to do Hill and Moorland Leader training?
Did you already have quite a good knowledge of map and compass skills before you started?
Where did your interest in geology begin?
Can you share a bit of Kinder Scout’s geological story?
How do you explain to people how the landscape has formed and what people can see?
Have the boulders fallen down from somewhere?
Do you expect this landscape to change over time?
Can you explain a little bit more about what’s meant by delta?
What’s beneath our boots when we’re walking on paths?
Do you still feel a sense of awe even though you’ve studied geology and worked in the area?
Why is this area referred to as the "Dark Peak"? How does it contrast to the White Peak?
How do you bring your interest in earth science into your work as a Hill and Moorland Leader?
How do people usually respond when you lead them on walks here?
How do you communicate your knowledge in an engaging way?
What questions do people ask you? What are they most curious about?
Why is this a location that you think is particularly special?
What makes you wild about Kinder Scout?