Workdays and Weekends: Mike Robinson

For this week's Workdays & Weekends we caught up with Mike Robinson; Chief Executive of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society and newly appointed Chairperson for Live Active Leisure. 

Mike's also an active board member for several boards across the environment, transport, art and government environment sectors.

When he finally removes his Superman cape he's also a keen mountaineer, squash player and dad of three. We had to find out more...

What does a typical day at work look like for you?

Each day is quite different, but most begin with paperwork on the bus from Balbeggie.   I jump off early and walk across the bridge to work, planning or remembering key tasks.   I take a few minutes to check through the papers over a cup of coffee, then catch up with staff, before trying to complete any critical tasks or host events.

Days are full of visitors, volunteers, emails, phone calls and contacting a wide range of people from all sorts of sectors.   Often I’ll not get to properly focus on something until the phones have stopped at 5pm so I often work on. 

I’ll race off after an hour or two, to get the bus home, or to attend our own evening events, or give a talk, or attend a board meeting. In the winter, I’ll often have a squash match too.

What signals the start of your weekend / days off?

Recently I’ve taken to running home on a Friday night, which is great because it gets me exercise and fresh air, and avoids traffic.   I help coach a swimming club on Friday nights, so after a quick shower and tea, I catch up with a neighbour who is the lead coach, and we head to Blairgowrie.   It’s not until 10pm I finally get a chance to completely relax.

What makes for a perfect night in?

A good meal, a warm fire and a good film surrounded by the family

What makes for a memorable day or night out?

Ideally climbing something challenging with stunning views and good company, then laughing over good food and a couple of pints until the wee small hours

Tell us about the weekend you’d love to live again?

The one on which I proposed to my wife on Cotopaxi, surrounded by friends

And now your best ever day at work?

All those days when things come together; opening the John Hope gateway, opening the Fair Maid’s House, winning a solar energy award, Scottish climate change act passing through parliament, Dalai Lama agreeing to write for our magazine, a royal visit or big event going successfully, or somebody coming into the office unannounced and wanting to donate some money or something fascinating to add to our historical collection.

Any workday or weekend rituals?

I’ll check my email around 11am, then social media, and quite often turn it off, as it makes me too reactive, and I need to be more purposeful.

What’s in the perfect day off breakfast?

Don’t often do breakfast, but fresh croissant, local raspberry jam and great coffee from The Bean Shop on George St.

Any words of wisdom for us?

There's a quote above my desk at work : “We are here on earth to do good to others.   What the others are here for, I don’t know.”   by WH Auden.