Stephen Moran

Stephen Moran was brought up in Hull but his father took him out into the countryside from an early age. He would soon lose interest in fishing however and wander off to look at dragonflies or to chase butterflies. He often commandeered the household wash tub for rearing newts and things. Summer holidays were spent at Field Study Council courses mostly on insects but, living close to Spurn Point, he also developed an interest in seabirds.

Stephen actually wanted to become a graphic artist but he fell out with his art teacher. On the other hand his biology master was very influential and, teaching well above A-level standard, Stephen was still using his notes to study for his finals. At Bangor University he began in Forestry but changed to Applied Biology. Several opportunities to work abroad fell through so for a time he ended up working in theatres or fruit farms while assisting with the entomological collections in Hull Museum.

‘I had always made lists and have a rather boring memory for detail so museums suited me – not realising then that one day I would end up as a museum specimen myself in SNH’s Highland Naturalists Project! When the job came up with Inverness Museum in 1980 I jumped at it. Then my parents reminded me when on holiday in Inverness aged 13 I had once said ‘One day I am coming back to work here’.’