The trips with Ian were not only memorable, but life changing events

Memories from former Geog-Ex pupil John Liddell

Ian was not only a great teacher but a conveyor of knowledge both inside and outside of school time, taking spotty inept kids and carefully and considerately moulding them into some semblance of responsible adults, he engendered an enthusiasm for all things geographical and the great outdoors which I carry with me to this day. 

The trips away with Ian were for me not only memorable but life changing events - Skiing in Italy and Switzerland and the day trips to Glencoe meant that he was not only a teacher but someone who was also a friend who could be relied on to offer guidance and advice when requested.

Our trips away were, very much, high points of my life, the trip to Cape Wrath, our exploration to the Arctic Circle and our overland trip from Glasgow to Crete and the Gulf of Sumaria bring back many memories. 
(I still have the Geog-Ex flag and a cutting from the paper about the Arctic trip).

Ian once told me that I should try to be a traveller and not just a tourist in this life, I could never get enough of his recounting events from his adventures (dog sledding across Greenland etc.)  He was a true gentleman, our own intrepid explorer in typical Blashford-Snell style.  In my heart I shall always remember him with his battered deer-stalker and his pipe clenched between his teeth striding across Glencoe as he prepared for yet another adventure.  In my eyes our 'Wee Barr' always was, and always will remain, truly a giant of a man!