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Scottish Branch Technical Seminar and Burns Supper
Fraser Hardie reports
BINDT’s Scottish Branch hosted its popular annual Technical Seminar and Burns Supper on 30 January 2026 at the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel in Clydebank. The Technical Seminar was titled ‘Career Development in NDT and Inspection’.
The variety of presentations and panel sessions included Patrick Boulton and Joe Heigold from BINDT describing the BINDT strategy and apprenticeships, Paul Wilkinson of Wilkinson Coutts explaining the advantages of e-learning, Paul Hillman of Eddyfi covering the role of the equipment manufacturer in non-destructive testing (NDT) training, Ryan Murphy of Evolution Fasteners describing the routes to professional registration with the Engineering Council, Tony Gachagan, University of Strathclyde, talking through specialist NDT training in higher education and, finally, Kenneth Fleming, Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB), taking us through apprenticeships in Scotland.
The programme was primarily aimed at those at an early stage in their NDT career and it was satisfying to see some apprentices in attendance and contributing. However, the themes of the day were clearly interesting to all, judging by the lively discussions throughout the day. The modern phenomenon of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on NDT careers inevitably arose. Another key topic was the lack of a tailored NDT apprenticeship scheme in Scotland. The Scottish Branch is actively endeavouring to engage the relevant Scottish government bodies with the aim of resolving this situation.
Throughout the day there was plenty of networking and friendly chatting around the stands at the concurrent exhibition, which included Argyll Ruane, Guided Ultrasonics Ltd (GUL), Agility NDE, Eddyfi, Sonatest, Peak NDT, QSA Ltd, TPAC NDT UK,
ETher NDE and Baugh & Weedon.
The Burns Supper followed in the evening in the usual convivial fashion. The busy programme was organised by the indefatigable Mike Farley who aptly gave the vote of thanks at the end of the evening.
Prior to that, amongst the haggis and whisky, we were treated to Burns songs beautifully rendered by Stephanie Bell and Calum Lowe, world champion-standard piping by Colin Johnston and Scottish country dancing led by the Elderberries band.
A faultless ‘Address to the Haggis’ was given by Bill Barclay, guest of Ray Wilson, with an eloquent ‘Immortal Memory’ by Mike Farley’s guest David Smith, the ‘Toast to the Lassies’ was given by ECITB supremo Lynda Armstrong (a lady performing is a break with tradition but a positive sign of the times) and the ‘Reply from the Lassies’ by the irrepressible Mary Brown (Bill’s sparring partner). All this was slickly marshalled by our favourite Hebridean and MC Charles MacLeod, multi-tasking with a poem thrown in.
We were honoured to have both the BINDT President Jason Taylor, accompanied by his wife, and BINDT CEO David Gilbert in attendance, with the latter also contributing what was effectively an extra and brilliant ‘Immortal Memory’.
The Bob Service Award for an exceptional performance by a young person working in NDT in Scotland was presented to Nicky Buchanan of Axiom Inspection Solutions by Scottish Branch Chair Katherine Kirk. Nicky was cheered on by a large contingent of his Axiom colleagues.
Raffle prizes were generously donated by Agility NDE Ltd, Altrad Babcock, Argyll Ruane, Axiom Inspection Solutions, Baugh & Weedon, ETher NDE, Guided Ultrasonics Ltd, Peak NDT Ltd and TPAC NDT UK Ltd. The raffle raised £795 for the BINDT Benevolent Fund, capping a wonderful evening.
Scottish Branch Technical Seminar and Burns Supper
Fraser Hardie reports
BINDT’s Scottish Branch hosted its popular annual Technical Seminar and Burns Supper on 30 January 2026 at the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel in Clydebank. The Technical Seminar was titled ‘Career Development in NDT and Inspection’. The variety of presentations and panel sessions included Patrick Boulton and Joe Heigold from BINDT describing the BINDT strategy and apprenticeships, Paul Wilkinson of Wilkinson Coutts explaining the advantages of e-learning, Paul Hillman of Eddyfi covering the role of the equipment manufacturer in non-destructive testing (NDT) training, Ryan Murphy of Evolution Fasteners describing the routes to professional registration with the Engineering Council, Tony Gachagan, University of Strathclyde, talking through specialist NDT training in higher education and, finally, Kenneth Fleming, Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB), taking us through apprenticeships in Scotland.
The programme was primarily aimed at those at an early stage in their NDT career and it was satisfying to see some apprentices in attendance and contributing. However, the themes of the day were clearly interesting to all, judging by the lively discussions throughout the day. The modern phenomenon of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on NDT careers inevitably arose. Another key topic was the lack of a tailored NDT apprenticeship scheme in Scotland. The Scottish Branch is actively endeavouring to engage the relevant Scottish government bodies with the aim of resolving this situation.
Throughout the day there was plenty of networking and friendly chatting around the stands at the concurrent exhibition, which included Argyll Ruane, Guided Ultrasonics Ltd (GUL), Agility NDE, Eddyfi, Sonatest, Peak NDT, QSA Ltd, TPAC NDT UK,
ETher NDE and Baugh & Weedon.The Burns Supper followed in the evening in the usual convivial fashion. The busy programme was organised by the indefatigable Mike Farley who aptly gave the vote of thanks at the end of the evening.
Prior to that, amongst the haggis and whisky, we were treated to Burns songs beautifully rendered by Stephanie Bell and Calum Lowe, world champion-standard piping by Colin Johnston and Scottish country dancing led by the Elderberries band.
A faultless ‘Address to the Haggis’ was given by Bill Barclay, guest of Ray Wilson, with an eloquent ‘Immortal Memory’ by Mike Farley’s guest David Smith, the ‘Toast to the Lassies’ was given by ECITB supremo Lynda Armstrong (a lady performing is a break with tradition but a positive sign of the times) and the ‘Reply from the Lassies’ by the irrepressible Mary Brown (Bill’s sparring partner). All this was slickly marshalled by our favourite Hebridean and MC Charles MacLeod, multi-tasking with a poem thrown in.
We were honoured to have both the BINDT President Jason Taylor, accompanied by his wife, and BINDT CEO David Gilbert in attendance, with the latter also contributing what was effectively an extra and brilliant ‘Immortal Memory’.The Bob Service Award for an exceptional performance by a young person working in NDT in Scotland was presented to Nicky Buchanan of Axiom Inspection Solutions by Scottish Branch Chair Katherine Kirk. Nicky was cheered on by a large contingent of his Axiom colleagues.
Raffle prizes were generously donated by Agility NDE Ltd, Altrad Babcock, Argyll Ruane, Axiom Inspection Solutions, Baugh & Weedon, ETher NDE, Guided Ultrasonics Ltd, Peak NDT Ltd and TPAC NDT UK Ltd. The raffle raised £795 for the BINDT Benevolent Fund, capping a wonderful evening.
