Wilderness Scotland Traveller Reviews

I very much liked the combination of kayaking, targeted paddling skills training, history and biology. The friendliness of the Scottish people (and everybody else on this trip) was touching and I shall always remember this very positive experience.

Organised to perfection and great guides.

The second part of my Scottish Holiday and visit to my ancestral homeland was the Ocean Kayaking, level 8 trip to Orkney Islands with Wilderness Scotland, Stayed at the Birsay Hostel/Outdoor Centre on the north end of mainland Orkney. Very well kept, clean, and quiet. Experienced excellent guides, food, and again as the first tour wonderful companions on this tour as well. The coast lines and the rock formations along which we paddled - the "silence" of the surf caressed beaches - the ocean itself was wonderful, giving us interesting changes in its moods, interacting with the winds, and the resulting wave and counter waves off the shore lines, the seals, and birds along the way. The day of kayak surfing, and the delight of everyones smiles afterwards. As always the peace I have always found in these settings of nature - but this trip especially more, since I was visiting for my first time the land of my ancestors - I was at home once more - even tho I had never lived or visited there - I felt the same feelings of having returned to a home I once left long ago - the very same feelings I had when I returned to my own place of birth along the shores of Nova Scotia. I found again more of my roots. I want to return to immerse myself in the Scottish Highlands and isles. Ring of Brodgar

both tour guides were excellent sources of history, laughter, good food, good companionship, excellent leadership. I was nicknamed THE WANDERER by the tour guide for Wilderness Scotland.

Inspiring scenery and charming towns! Walking the Great Glen Way was challenging enough to give one a sense of accomplishment, whilst still being a pleasant and manageable route. This walking holiday was a very relaxing and invigorating way to see parts of Scotland we would not have otherwise thought to visit.

Very personal service, quick responses to any and all questions. They booked excellent accommodations and looked after all the details of luggage transfer. The route information and suggestions provided were very useful.

A lovely holiday with good walking, great hotel, delicious food and a great guide!

Wilderness Scotland. It was my third trip with them, all excellent. Will travel with them again and I do recommend them for walking holidays in Scotland. The itineraries are good, accommodation great and the guides very skilled.

Group sailing holiday around the Isle of Skye on the Eda Fransen. No experience necessary - although need to be happy living on a boat for a week - and helping out with sailing the boat.

Wilderness Scotland organised the trip - although it was effectively run independently by the owner of the Eda Frandsen - James Mackenzie.

Wilderness Scotland made what could have been a punishing and unforgiving challenge into a highly memorable experience. The balance between active support and encouragement on the one hand and the scale of the challenge for each of us on the other was correctly assessed by our guide on Day 1. As a result we had just the right level of stretch during the day. There was plenty of good hearty food; warm and friendly accommodation during the evenings; and excellent breakfasts. The care and attention our bikes got was also excellent (checked fully every evening) and much appreciated.

All support and sales staff have been on the trips they are advising on, so they have real insight and knowledge and can be trusted to tell it like it is.

My daughter and I hiked the 95 miles of the WHW, our second major trek after having taken the Shivapuri trail in Nepal a few years ago. While the Scottish highlands aren't the Himalayas, the scenery was beautiful and the hike was challenging. We stayed at BnB's along the way and had an excellent experience throughout.

We booked the trip with Wilderness Scotland and they were very helpful in arranging all of the details and providing good quality maps/instructions for the trip.

Guided walking holiday in Highlands of Scotland

Professional, thorough and very customer focussed

My first ever activities holiday and it was great. The group was one great family and the guides personable, helpful and knowledgeable. Wilderness Scotland guides were extra helpful and patient in explaining things to me through demonstration and simple English (as I don't speak much English). The locations were varied and beautiful and I discovered that you can have as much fun in the rain as under the sun. I'm from Egypt and people there usually stay at home when it rains and so the idea of being out on a lake or by the sea when it rains, paddling a kayak seemed crazy at first. I really loved the trip and would like to do another one!

We had all the information we needed and Wilderness Scotland made sure there was someone we could contact for more information when we needed it. Everyone was very friendly, professional and helpful. Thanks!

The trip exceeded my expectations. Firstly, our guides, Zoe and Malcolm, were friendly and approachable. The weather was changeable but we always had a stunning location set at the right challenge level for our sea kayaking trips. Getting to know the others on the trip and working together to get the kayaks to the water and then out again and back on the kayak trailer was an unexpected bonus. Another highlight was dining in the evening in small local restaurants, including a highland lodge and an isolated restaurant run by a charming Dutch chef. I enjoyed the kayaking to the full and maintained my confidence despite capsizing in the cold loch waters, thanks to the expertise and encouragement of Zoe, our head guide. Overall, we experienced, stunning scenery and a really enjoyable trip with challenge, fun and time to unwind and enjoy local culinary pleasures.

I booked online and some tour operators turn out faceless and the experience then depends on the guide. With Wilderness Scotland, as soon as our booking was made we received a personalised email confirming things and soon after we received a detailed information pack to help us better prepare for the trip. We always had someone (with a name) to email or call if need be. I did in fact have to call and the agent who answered was both friendly and helpful. The personal but sincere touch provided each step of the way was most appreciated. Another plus is the Wilderness Scotland website provided great detail about the trip and supplementary videos on youtube to get a feel for what a trip can be like in different weather.