Comments about our tours
"It's an amazing place, however, this can only really be appreciated if you do it with Five Senses. Out of all of the experiences that we had on our trip to the UK, meeting Malcolm and his wife Rachel and going to all of these ancient places and learning so much was the highlight of the trip. Not to mention actually being able to touch a part of the past. .
"We had a picnic with Malcolm on the last day in this field of heather. I still to this day remember what the food tasted like. It was incredible -- we can definitely say that we experienced Orkney with all five senses. Not to mention we now know a lot of survival techniques that we learned from Malcolm while visiting Orkney."
- Tracey, about her and her husband's multi-day tour and fire making session
"Touring the island with Malcolm was truly a five sense experience. He not only introduced us to the topographical, geological and spiritual aspects of the environment, he and his lovely wife, Rachel, made us feel like family - one well worth a return trip." - Shoni and Philip about their tour
Comments about Independence Outdoors
"Just spent three amazing days in the Orkney Islands with the wonderful couple from Five Senses. Learned firelighting with a handmade wooden bowdrill, explored ancient sites - including singing and drumming inside a stone tomb until we found a pitch that caught its natural frequency and amplified our quietest voices manyfold - hiked and camped through the lush island of Hoy, drinking delicious fresh water from a rippling stream, while learning to navigate with a compass, and sharing an old stone bothy with passing hikers and a roaring fire (and much more).
"If you want to immerse yourself in the land and culture of the Orkney Islands, I would highly recommend this group. Both Malcom and Rachel are deeply friendly and caring about the people they work with and the land and work itself.
"'Twas the most memorable experience of my two weeks holiday in Ireland and Scotland..." - Sonja, L.A. about her Independence Outdoors experience
Teachers' feedback on Children's educational courses
"Having used Five Senses for input with the Orkney Branch of the Young Archaeology Club (age range 8 - 13, membership from several Orkney Primary Schools) I have to say that the quality of interaction with the children, the content of the experience, and the high motivation factor were all really impressive.
"So much was this the case that I have booked a half day for my own school to launch our Fuel and Power Topic with a spark! Several other of the commonly used cross-curricular, science- or history-based Topics in Primary would be greatly augmented by such an experience as we had, especially several involving past civilisations or prehistory, or those considering materials and their properties.
"The level was right, the risk assessment and health and safety issues were addressed, the personnel were SO enthusiastic and engaged the children without exception and for the whole duration of the afternoon. The children worked as a team eagerly, each having hands-on experience and all gaining so much knowledge, in theory and in practice, about materials, past times, the creation and maintenance of fire, its significance to various times, cultures and peoples, its dangers and safe management.
"I have no hesitation in recommending colleagues to take a look at what these people have to offer." -- Sue Whitworth, Leader Orkney Branch, Young Archaeology Club and Head Teacher, Evie Primary School
"Planting a naked foot on a board, Malcolm used a bow and hazel 'drill' to create flame. Even in these hi-tech days fire still has a magical power to thrill.
These are experiences the children will never forget. Science is all about seeing, enjoying, discovering, trying things out - and, sometimes, being so enthralled by a moment that it changes the way someone thinks for ever."
- John Moar, Firth Primary School, about a children's education fire making session.
