I grew up on a smallholding in the Scottish Borders, and after a short career in London book publishing, I found my calling when I began thatching in Devon in 2012. I completed a traditional apprenticeship with a firm in South Devon, after which I travelled widely, working with thatchers in Norfolk and Scotland, and even as far away as Denmark and Japan. I turned these experiences into a book, On the Roof: A Thatcher’s Journey, which was a Financial Times book of the year.

I now live and work in South Devon. I also regularly take on thatching jobs in Scotland, as I am passionate about maintaining thatching traditions in my home country.

Alongside my thatching work, I am a writer and author, and have written for the Guardian, Financial Times, Countryfile Magazine, the Crafts Council and many other publications.

I lecture on thatching at the Architectural Association in London, and have spoken about thatching at a number of book festivals and events, as well as appearing on Radio 4 and BBC Landward.