When Karen Adams visited Dunoon with her colleagues she didn’t just fall in love with the area, she also fell in love with the man who was to become her future husband.
Karen was working as a PE teacher in her home town of Stranraer when she went on a trip to Benmore Outdoor Centre with her fellow teachers.
“The instructor was from Stranraer and his mum was part of the group I was in. We hit it off straight away and we’ve now been together for ten years, and married for six ,” she said.
“I gave up a full time teaching post to move to Dunoon and get put on the supply list. It was a huge risk but thankfully it paid off and I got a job I absolutely love at Kirn Primary School.
“I remember former teachers saying, ‘teaching? Oh you don’t want to be a teacher’ but, after taking a year out to work on a ferry, I applied to do a Batchelor of Education Primary qualification before going on to gain a Post Graduate Primary PE qualification. I don’t regret it one bit either.
“I really enjoy living and working in Dunoon. I’ve lived here for nearly nine years and feel like a local. I love the familiarity, the friendly faces and the fresh air. Argyll and Bute is a great place to teach. The great outdoors, the live events, the fact that Glasgow is so close but not right on your doorstep – what’s not to like?
“We have two young boys and I couldn’t think of anywhere better for them to grow up. I have been so fortunate to make amazing friends that if I have work commitments I know that my boys will be looked after. We are fully supported at Kirn by management and colleagues too, which makes a huge difference. Argyll and Bute really is a fantastic place to live and work and I’d recommend teaching here to anyone.”