Hogmanay Fireballs Celebrations at Stonehaven

Why not try something different at New Year- the Stonehaven Fireballs Festival! Stonehaven is a small seaside village in the North East of Scotland with a population of 10,000 and hosts an annual festival at New Year attracting around 5000 visitors from home and abroad. 

The fireball swinging ceremony is pretty spectacular: 45 men and women swinging massive balls of flame around their heads as they stride the length of Stonehaven’s old High Street. The reception given to the swingers is tremendous and the occasion is a very family oriented event, even if it does start at midnight, with a pipe band, drummers and other entertainment. And a very humorous and lively crowd of people!

The Market Street Party runs in tandem with this world famous Fireballs ceremony making New Year a hugely popular and lively event. This year rock giants Simple Minds are to headline the Hogmanay celebrations.

A Simple Minds spokesman said the group were looking forward to celebrating New Year with their fans at the home of the unique Fireballs swinging festival and a spokesman for the Stonehaven Festivals and Events Committee said: “This is simply a dream come true for us. We are thrilled and delighted these music legends have agreed to come to Stonehaven for our big Hogmanay party.

For more info on the Fireball Ceremony visit  http://www.stonehavenfireballs.co.uk/about

and watch this video

Improving Your Training!

Here in the North of Scotland we are always trying to improve your experience as GP speciality trainees. We run regular Trainee Forums three times a year.  These forums are open to all to attend and are your opportunity to give us feedback on your training experience both in the hospital and general practice components of your training.  The forums are valued by our existing trainees and are well attended.  We also use them to develop new training initiatives in partnership with yourselves.

Why Our Rural Track Trainees Have The Best Deal!

Mike McIver, an ST1 currently in Grantown, and previously in Oban has been at the video again!  Mike was at the Rural Program conference in Stornoway and persuaded a few of his colleagues to speak about what has attracted them to the Rural Program.

So make the best decision of your life and join our Rural Program!  You can read more about the conference on Mike's blog at http://scotlandgptrainingcaledonia.blogspot.co.uk/ .

One Day Left!!

One day left to make that all important decision!  Applications to the first round of GP recruitment for August 2014 close at 5 pm tomorrow, Thursday 5'th December.

So if you have not already done so, get your application in to come and work in the North of Scotland. Whether it be the Grampian Program based around Aberdeen, the "Oil Capital of Europe", The Caledonian Program based around Inverness, "Capital of The Highlands" or our innovatory rural Track Program based on our rural general hospitals, the lifestyle and training available to you are second to none.  Just look at the blog and read what our current trainees are saying about their training here or follow the links to some of the lifestyle surveys that we have posted here over the last year.

• Aberdeenshire voted in five best places to live
• Outer Hebrides, Shetland and Orkney Islands - happiest places in the UK
• Aberdeen is named best city to live in Scotland
• National Geographic Votes Moray Coast in Top 20 Coastal Destinations in The World

So get that application in now!  Apply through the National Recruitment Office.

Only One Week Left!

Brimmond Hill Looking Towards Deeside

Round 1 of GP Recruitment closes on Thursday 5th December at 5pm so you only have one week left to make that life changing decision.  Go to the NRO Website to get your application in for GP Training in the North of Scotland.  We guarantee, once you come here, you won't want to leave.  The lifestyle and employment opportunities are second to none.

Aberdeen City and Shire - Learn

Thinking of coming to Grampian for your GP Training?  Have a partner also wanting to learn? Want to know what educational opportunities may be available to your family?

Grampian has a strong educational tradition.  Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils have produced this excellent guide to some of the learning opportunities available to you in Grampian.

More information on our Grampian programs .

Twitter Hour, Thursday 28th November, 7.30 to 8.30PM

Thinking of applying for GP training in the North of Scotland?  Have some questions?  Why not ask our Director of General Practice, Dr Ronald Macvicar, or our trainees, David Lovell on the Grampian program or Kate Dixon on the Rural track Program?  All three will be hosting a Twitter hour next Thursday 28th November, 7.30 to 8.30pm.

Join @ronaldmacvicar @scotmedtraining #scotmt

Training Practice Profile : - Portlethen Medical Practice, Grampian

As part of our blog we thought it would be useful for you to hear what our GP trainees thought about their experiences in their GP Training Practices. David Lovell, who is on the third year of the 4 year Grampian scheme, has written about his ST1 experiences at Portlethen Medical Practice in Grampian

“You’ll need to drink your tea faster if you’re going to be a GP!” - This was one of the first things my GP trainer said to me when I visited Portlethen Medical Practice for the first time. After spending six months working there I can see what she meant! However, I have become increasingly glad that this is the case. During my time there I was constantly presented with numerous new challenges many times a day, and it was great.

North Of Scotland Expertise Goes East!

Word of our innovative Rural Track Program is spreading fast! We are currently playing host to a group of Japanese doctors and health administrators who are visiting us to see what lessons can be learned from the way the North of Scotland tackles the delivery of healthcare to remote and rural communities.

Our visitors are from the Japanese Association for Development of Community Medicine (JADECOM) and are visiting the Centre for Health Science in Inverness, Belford Hospital and the Fort William Health Centre.

North of Scotland Rotations For August 2014 Now Finalised

We have now finalised the rotations for all five of our programs for the August 2014 intake.  You can see all the details on the links below. For more detail on what it is like to be a trainee on these rotations, go to our trainee blogs.

• Grampian 3 Year
• Grampian 4 Year
• Caledonian 3 Year
• Caledonian 4 Year
• Rural Track

Recruitment 2014 is Now Open

Recruitment for August 2014 entry into GP Specialist Training is now open!  So make the right decision and get your application in!  In the North of Scotland we can promise fantastic lifestyle opportunities whichever program you choose.  Don't just take our word for it, read our trainees blogs to see what they say about their training and their lives in the North of Scotland.

So take your first step on the ladder to the most rewarding career medicine has to offer- General Practice.

An Early Start!

For all you skiers out there!  The recent cold snap has left enough snow for Cairngorm Mountain to start it's skiing season today.

So if snowsports are one of your passions, why not move up to the North of Scotland where we have cornered the market.  Where ever you are based in the North of Scotland (with the exception of the islands of course : ) ) you will have skiing pretty much on your doorstep.  Oban and Fort William have Glencoe and Nevis Range ski areas within easy reach, trainees in Aviemore and Grantown have Cairngorm mountain just up the road whilst for those in Inverness it is an easy drive in under the hour.  For those on the Grampian scheme, Glenshee and the Lecht are both within easy distance.

The Harbour

Oil Supply Ships Waiting Off Aberdeen Harbour

Not familiar with Aberdeen?  Want to get a feel for what Aberdeen is like?  Why not watch the new series of "The Harbour" being shown on BBC Scotland at 7pm on Monday evenings.  But beware, you might need a translator for some of the local dialect!

You can also watch it on iplayer . The Harbour Series 2, Episode 1

Recruiting The GPs Of The Future

Skills Scotland recently ran a careers day at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre. The aim was to give school pupils an opportunity to look at career options.

Improving Our Grampian Rotations

We are constantly trying to improve the relevance and educational value of the hospital aspect of our training schemes.  Last year we introduced extra posts in both pediatrics and obstetrics & gynecology, these posts replacing general orthopedic posts.  We have been working closely with the clinical supervisors in these departments to maximise the educational component in these posts and ensure the experience gained is particularly relevant to our GP specialist trainees.

As part of this process we have been keeping in close touch with our trainees in these new posts and they have been giving us feedback on their experiences.  Here is some of what they have been telling us!

Living and Working in the Highlands of Scotland

Interested in our Caledonian or Rural Track programs but not that familiar with the Highlands then watch this video created by Talent Scotland and see what fantastic working and lifestyle opportunities are available.

Living in Aberdeen City and Shire

Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire councils have recently produced a video on some of the attractions of living in Grampian.  If you are not familiar with this part of the world then have a look at this video and see what you are missing out on.

Our Grampian program is based on Aberdeen Royal Infirmary but with a mix of practices both in Aberdeen City and the surrounding and more rural area of Aberdeenshire.

More information on our Grampian programs .

Oban Joins Our Rural Track Program

We are now delighted to be able to offer 2 new rotations to our growing Rural Track Programme for 2014. We now have 2 training practices in the Oban area giving the opportunity to train in the stunning area based around the Lorn and District Rural General Hospital.

For a number of years our 4 Year Caledonian program has had posts based at the Lorn And The Isles hospital in Oban.  The posts have received extremely positive feedback for both the breadth of experience and the educational and clinical support offered. Read about Mike McIvers experiences in Oban as part of his 4 year program.

The two local training practices, Lorn Medical Centre and Taynuilt Medical Practice, have now joined us to enable us to provide a complete training package based in this stunning area.

Oban is a thriving town which is extremely popular with outdoor enthusiasts and is within easy reach of Glasgow giving a great balance of opportunities. It is also the hub for ferries to many of the islands. The scenery and sporting opportunities are renowned and the hospital and local GPs are thriving and committed to teaching. We have no doubt that this will prove to be a popular programme.

For more information contact Elizabeth.barr@nes.scot.nhs.uk .

A to Z Shetland Style!

All three of our training programs offer the chance to practice medicine in the fantastic environment of Shetland.  Our 4 year Grampian and Caledonian programs all offer the opportunity to spend 6 months in Shetland whilst the Rural Track program offers you the chance base your whole training program there.

Our rural general hospitals are rated highly by our trainees and offer good hands-on experience with close support and supervision from consultant level.

So what is Shetland like, well just sit back and enjoy this A toZ of  Shetland!

Meet Some Real GPs :- Katie Walter

Katie Walter moved up to Inverness to do her GP training and is one of the many who have stayed here.  Katie has written this article for our "Meet Some Real GPs" section.  It is about what it has meant to her to train and then work as a GP in the highlands.

Recruitment Dates

Just to firm up a little on the recruitment dates in our earlier posting.  We can now confirm that the Stage 3 Selection Centre will be run between Monday 3rd February until Friday 7th February 2014 at the Hilton Edinburgh Airport Hotel - See more on NHS Education Scotland Website

Orkney Culture

Interested in coming to Orkney on our Rural Track and Grampian 4 Year Programs?  Enjoy your music and culture?  Fionn McArthur, one of Radio Orkney's presenters, has kindly written this article on some of the cultural opportunities on Orkney.

 ‘Orkney’s culture…. is perhaps most important….. in opening up imaginations, building shared memories, raising aspirations, giving hope and delight –simply making Orkney a place where people want to live.’

The above quote comes from cultural commentator Francois Matarasso. He was commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise in 2011 to come up with a report looking at why Orkney’s cultural life is so vibrant, and what lessons other parts of the country might want to learn.

It came as no surprise to any Orcadian – either native or ‘adopted’ – that the islands were chosen to be the basis for such a study. Arts and culture are an integral part of life here, ranging from informal music-making in homes and village halls, to performances by some of the world’s finest classical musicians. The islands are a haven for artists, with the Pier Arts Centre playing host to some of the most gifted contemporary practitioners. Community drama is a mainstay of the winter months here, with highly polished productions from across the islands competing in an annual festival each February. The craft sector is a major local employer, with jewellery designers drawing inspiration from Orkney’s artists of the past who - thousands of years ago - left their mark in our native stone.

Recruitment For August 2014

Just as the successful applicants from last year start their GP training its time to start the whole process all over again!  The dates for round 1 of recruitment are now available. 

Applications can be submitted from	10.00am Tuesday 12th November 2013
Applications MUST be submitted by	17:00pm   on Thursday 5th December 2013
Foundation Competence evidence submitted by	17:00pm   on Thursday 5th December 2012
Stage 2 (Computer Based Test)	From Saturday 4th January up to and including Saturday 11th January 2014. Places can be booked, on invitation, from 6th December 2013 once your application has been accepted.
Stage 3 (Selection Centre)	From 3rd February - 14th February 2014. Places must be booked by 30th January 2014
Offers out	By 5th March 2014 - offers may be released early if the deaneries are able to do so.
Offers accepted by	Within 48 hours of offer
Held offers accepted or declined by	10th March 2014
Local Clearing commences	From 10th March 2014 onwards as offers are accepted / declined
National Clearing	From 17th March 2014 or as soon after as possible

End of Recruitment for August 2013

That's recruitment over for 2013.  Congratulations to those of you successful in Round 2, we look forward to meeting up with you at the induction meetings in August.  Our administration team have already been in contact with you with the necessary details for starting GP training. 

Up till now you have been able to follow us on the blog, we will soon be sending you log-ins for our online information and discussion system called Moodle.  This system contains all the information you will need during your time training with us.  You will need to look specifically at the programs for the induction meetings in Inverness and Aberdeen which will be posted in the Common Room section under "Your Educational Program".  In July you will also need to register with the RCGP as an Associate member so you can get access to your eportfolio.

Welcome to your career in general Practice!

Oban Featured in new BBC Series

Following on from our previous posting on Oban, the BBC aired the first of a new series called "Town" last night.  The first program featured Oban and can be viewed on iPlayer until June 19th.

The Lorn and The Islands Hospital in Oban features in our 3 and 4 year Caledonian programs and we hope to include it in our rural Programs in future years.  Oban offers some great opportunities for exploring the Inner and Outer Hebrides along with more outdoor opportunities closer to home in the form of kyaking, sailing, cycling and hillwalking as highlighted in the program.

There are 3 posts on offer in Oban in the current Round 2 of recruitment so why not take the plunge and come and enjoy both the life and training opprotunities offered in Oban, "Gateway to The Isles"

Decision Time

Congratulations to those of you successful in Round 2 of recruitment!  Only one decision left to make now and that is where to complete your training.  So why not make it the North of Scotland, "1st for Training, 1st for Lifestyle"

We have a wide range of options open to you.  Our 4 year programs offer a broad range of hospital posts including spells in our Rural General Hospitals that provide excellent training environments with a high degree of autonomy backed up by close support from your supervising consultant.

Or why not have a look at our Rural Track Program with the opportunity to train in Orkney, Caithness or Fort William. Have a look at our trainee blogs to see what existing trainees think of their training in  the North of Scotland

Click here for more details of our rotations

We look forward to seeing you at induction in August.

Medical Career Options in Aberdeen

Crathes Castle

It's a great time to be training in Aberdeen, we have a steady turnover of GP partnerships available every year along with a number of salaried GP positions. On top of this we have a large cohort of GPs projected to retire over the next five years so it is a good time to be training here! We need to attract more GPs to the area to fill all these vacancies.

Hebrides:- Islands On The Edge

The BBC have produced a 4 part series on the wildlife of the Hebrides, "Islands On The Edge".  The series, narrated by Ewan McGregor, is currently being aired on Monday evenings on BBC1 Scotland with repeats on Sunday afternoon.  The first episode was shown this Monday and you can catch it on iplayer for the next 4 weeks.

So have a look at the fantastic wildlife of the west coast of Scotland, all of which can be on your doorstep if you join our Rural or Caledonian Programs.  Many of the Inner Hebridean Islands can be reached by ferry from Oban where Lorn and The Islands Hospital hosts posts for both of these programs.

Shetland Among World's Best Sunrises, Lonely Planet Says

Lonely Planet Guide has voted Shetland as among the seven best sunrises in the world.  So let the sun rise on your career in general practice by joining one of our 4 year programs.  There are two Grampian 4 Year Rotations that feature 6 months in Shetland or you could opt for our Caledonian 4 Year Rotations, two of which offer the first year in Shetland.

For more information on Shetland go to Catherine Brown's Blog.

• BBC Article.
• Shetland Times Article

Aberdeen’s Economy is Booming

There are lots of reasons why Aberdeen is a good place to settle. One reason is Aberdeen is a great place to find a job. The job market here is very buoyant whether that be within medicine or out with.

Aberdeenshire Tops 2013 Bank of Scotland Lifestyle Survey

Aberdeenshire has overtaken Shetland to top the 2013 Bank of Scotland lifestyle survey as reported on the BBC website.  Shetland was second and Orkney came in third. 

So why not come and train in the best place for lifestyle in Scotland and combine it with 6 months in Shetland or Orkney in one of the Grampian 4 year programs?

Rotations Offered in Round 2 Now Finalised

We have now finalised the rotations being offered in Round 2 of recruitment.  Follow the link below to access all our rotations.

There are no 3 year rotations in the Grampian program and only one 3 year rotation in the Caledonian program.  There are however a number of 4 year rotations in Rural Track , Caledonian and Grampian programs.  These offer the excellent opportunity of working in our rural general hospitals.  These provide a great educational environment working closely with consultant colleagues.  You will be a big fish in a little bowl rather than a very little fish in a big bowl! Our rural general hospitals all get great feedback from our trainees, read Mike McIvers blog about his experiences in Oban.

North of Scotland Round 2 Rotations

A Trainee's View of Orkney

Orkney also offers fantastic lifestyle opportunities.  Innez Moss is on the Rural GP Fellowship program in Orkney.  Here is what she has to say about her time in Orkney:- 

"I returned to Orkney last August after studying medicine at Dundee University and completing my GP training in Elgin and Inverness.  The new rural track training programme looks very exciting with lots of extra time and opportunities to enhance the skills required to be a rural GP.  I enjoyed my training in Elgin and Inverness and had chosen not to train in Orkney as I grew up here however several other local doctors who have trained here have had described the experience very positively.

I have focused on improving my skills to cover the single-handed island practises and completed three BASICS courses.  In addition I am completing the Introduction to Hyperbaric Medicine and Level 1 and 2a Diving medicine courses so I can participate in the running of the local diving Chamber which treats divers who become unwell while diving in the Scapa Flow. 

Orkney has much to offer outside work with beautiful scenery, outdoor activities and much culturally.  The extra time spent through the rural track training will allow you much more scope to participate in the local community which is something I believe is very important as a Rural GP.  Personally I have several musical interests including singing in a choir and playing the fiddle but that is just a small part of the local musical scene, where you can enjoy a wide mix of bands in the local pubs or attend concerts of internationally acclaimed musicians at festivals such as the Folk festival and the St Magnus festival which has a more classical programme.  There are good sporting facilities available and various football, hockey and rugby leagues to join.  I enjoy taking my dog around the various beaches and hills and I hope to windsurf and learn to sail this summer.  For those who are more artistic there are many local artists with studios and some workshops to help inspire you and keep you entertained during the darker winter months.

I am happy to respond to any enquiries about working in Orkney and my email is inezmoss@nhs.net "

Orkney features both in our Rural Track Program, which has 2 posts based in Orkney, and also in our 4 year Grampian Programs, which include a 6 month posting in Orkney in the first year. As with all our rural general hospitals these posts get excellent feedback from our trainees, especially for the hands on experience and great support.

Visit Orkney Website
Orkneyjar:- Orkney Heritage Website
www.orkney.com

Focus on Orkney

In March Orkney was voted the UK’s Number 1 Island Destination by Trip Advisor. So, what does Orkney have to offer? Orkney is an archipelago of 70 islands with stunning scenery and wildlife. At the northern tip North Ronaldsay boasts an internationally renowned bird observatory, but also sheep that are walled out of the island and live on seaweed. The islands are steeped in history ranging from World Heritage Neolithic standing stones and dwellings, via the Viking legends of the Orkneyinga Saga and the stunning St Magnus Cathedral through to World War I and the scuttling of the German Fleet in Scapa Flow (now popular with sports divers) and the role played by the islands in the Second World War as a naval base. There is a strong arts tradition, including the Pier Arts Centre in Stromness and a thriving jewellery industry. Various music and science festivals are scattered through the year, but most of all tourists comment on the warmth of the welcome. For a fuller picture of what is on offer visit: www.visitorkney.com 

Your Educational Program

Lossiemouth

So why are we first for training in the UK?  Well, as a GP Trainee in the North Deanery, you will be supported by our educational programme and will have access to a wide variety of experiences which will help you develop as a fully rounded GP. 

Focus on Oban

Our Caledonian 4 year program contains 3 rotations that spend the first year in Oban before moving up to Inverness for the remaining hospital posts.  Your GP attachment will be spent in one of the practices attached to the Caledonian program.

Lorn and The Islands Hospital is one of the rural general hospitals used in our rotations that offers a great training environment working directly with consultants.  During your on call duties you are supported by nurse practitioners who are familiar with the local systems and environment along with direct access to your supervising consultant.

Watch the short video below to get an idea of what its like and have a look at Mike McIvers blog, Mike is currently working in Oban as the first year in his 4 year program.

As well as providing a great training environment Oban is a great place to live.  It is otherwise known as  "The Gateway to The Isles" due to the ferry links it provides to both the Inner and Outer Hebrides. You have the opportunity to explore  Islands such as Mull which is only 45 minutes away and Colonsay, Coll and Tiree which are only 3 hours by CalMac ferry.  There are also the more local islands of Lismore, Kerrera and Luing that are just short hops from the mainland. If your interest is in water sports such as kayaking or sailing then Oban is the place for you, with a myriad of sea lochs and islands to explore. 


For lovers of the hills, there is a wealth of climbing and hill walking in the area with Glencoe  just under an hour away along with the Glencoe ski area. More locally there is Ben Cruachan and easy access to the rest of the Central Highlands.

For the less adventurous, Oban has a host of sea food restaurants including the Oban Fish and Chip Shop provider of the "Best Fish and Chips in Britain" as voted by none other than Rick Stein.  

Also not to be missed is the Oban Chocolate Company on the Corran Esplanade, their cafe does the best coffee in town, not to mention the 20 different varieties of hot chocolate and some wonderful cakes! 

So why not come and taste life on the West Coast of Scotland with our Caledonian 4 year rotation.  Don't just take our word for it, read Mike McIvers blog. 

Posts Available In Round 2

Lossiemouth

We have now finalised the numbers of posts that we will be recruiting to in Round 2.  They are as follows:-

• Grampian 4 year programme; , 7 posts
• Caledonian 3 year programme; 1 post 
• Caledonian 4 year programme; 7 posts
• Rural-track - Fort William; 1 post
• Rural-track - Caithness; 2 posts
• Rural-track - Orkney; 2 posts

There are still 5 posts available in our Rural Track Program, if you are interested in these then go to our trainee blogs and read about Kate Dixon and Catherine Brown's experiences of their first year in the scheme.  They are in Stornoway and Shetland respectively.

As soon as we have specific details of the rotations available we will post them on the blog but in the meantime you can go to our "Rotations" pages to get an idea of the posts we offer.

For The Adventurous!

Sgor Gaoith

For the adventurous among you, Scotland, especially the North of Scotland has cornered the market in decent mountains, with 282 Munros (Mountains over 3000ft) and 222 Corbetts (Mountains over 2500ft) there is no end of terrain to explore.  From Inverness you have easy access to the Northern Highlands and the Eastern Glens of Cannich, Affric and Strathfarrar.  The Cairngorms are just down the A9. 

North Gully Lurchers Crag

From Fort William and Oban again you have excellent access to the hills.  For the climbers out there, why not work in Fort William with Ben Nevis on your back doorstep and Glencoe just down the road.  Oban also gives quick access to Glencoe and the rest of the Central Highlands.







So for those of you south of the border, why not move north and stop commuting up the M74? For those in the central belt of Scotland, why not move up to the center of the action?

Loch Quoich Looking Towards Knoidart

North of Scotland Hospitals and Training Practices

For those of you less familair with the geography of the North of Scotland we have created a map of all the hospitals used in our training programs along with all the training paractices linked to each of the programs, pink for Rural Track, yellow for Caledonian and blue for Grampian. Where possible we have also put links to the practice websites.

View North Deanery Training Practices and Hospitals in a larger map

The Great Outdoors:- Orienteering

One of the great advantages that comes with living in the North of Scotland is the access to the vast tracts of countryside that are on your doorstep. Both the Caledonian and Grampian areas are renowned for their countryside and forests.  Orienteering is a sport that has massively increased in popularity over  recent years. Among the orienteering fraternity the forests of Moray are well known for their quality. So much so that this year they play host to the Scottish 6-Days event and in 2 years time it is the World Orienteering Championships 2015. This will be only the third time that the world championships have been held in the UK.  To get a feel for some of the areas around Inverness and Moray, have a look at the trailer video for the 2013 Scottish 6 Day below.

Career Start Scheme

In Grampian we offer a unique opportunity called the Career Start Scheme.  It is a scheme that is run annually and offers our trainees the opportunity to apply for 1 year posts at the end of their GP Specialty Training.  

The posts are combined General Practice and Secondary Care and allow you to develop a special interest which you can then pursue alongside your career as a GP.  A number of the GPs featured on the blog are graduates of the scheme.

This programme has been running in Grampian for the past 8 years and it has proved to be very popular with the GP trainees using it as a stepping stone between training and a more substantive post.

We will be advertising 7 posts to start in August 2013 with the following specialties.  

• Unscheduled care -3 posts 
• Palliative care 
• Mental Health 
• Sexual health 
• Dermatology 

This is the only scheme of its kind in Scotland!

Natures Microworlds: Scottish Highlands

Have a look at this fabulous program on the ecology of the Scottish Highlands.  There is some superb wildlife photography and it could all be on your doorstep if you come and train in the North of Scotland programs. The program is available on BBC iPlayer for the next 6 days. Follow the link below.

Natures Microworlds:- Scottish Highlands

Recruitment Round 2

Stonehaven

Recruitment Round 2 has now opened.  Dates are as follows:-

• Applications opened Monday 25th February, and will close on 22nd March 2013
• Stage 2 Computer Based Test - 23rd and 24th April 2013
• Stage 3 Selection Assessment Centre - 14th and 15th May 2013

Here in the North of Scotland all our 3 year programs are just about full however we will have spaces in both our Grampian and Caledonian 4 year Programs.  Numbers are not quite finalised at this stage as Round 1 applicants still have until Mid-day 7th March to accept offers that are currently held.  Programs will then be finalised by 14th March. 

At the present time it is looking as though we will be offering

• 6 or 7 posts in the Grampian 4 year program
• 7 or 8 posts in the Caledonian 4 year program
• 4 or 5 posts in the Rural Track program, 2 in Orkney, 2 in Caithness and 1 in Fort William.  (Subject to confirmation with the relevant Health Boards)

Our four year programs offer excellent experiences and opportunities. You have the advantage of being able to take 4 years to sit and pass the MRCGP and the programs also offer great experiences in our Rural General Hospitals in the first year.   Have a look at Mike McIver's blog about his first year in Oban.  

For Those Making a Last Minute Decision!

Still not quite sure about where to spend the next few years?  Well how about having this on your doorstep!  Come and train in our training practices in Aboyne, Grantown or Aviemore and this is right next door.  It is only an hours' drive from the main centers of Aberdeen and Inverness.  So come and try living with this winter sports playground just round the corner.  Whether it be skiing, snowboarding, ski touring , hill walking or climbing, the Cairngorms has it all.

This was the Lecht ski centre at 11.00 this morning, not a queue in site and the run to yourself! You really don't get better than that.  North of Scotland, "1st for Lifestyle" without a doubt.