SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
Operating Policies
The Environment
We are passionate about wilderness and wild places and the range of adventures that are available throughout the Highlands Islands. We have a genuine enthusiasm to share the landscapes, flora and fauna of Scotland with our clients. We greatly value these assets and are absolutely committed to operating in a manner which conserves and enhances our natural environment.
Through the provision of engaging experiences from wilderness to wildlife, we are firmly of the view that positive tourism experiences have the capacity to foster a strong connection with the natural world and promote more sustainable living in these challenging times we currently face.
We never forget that first and foremost our adventures are about great holiday experiences so, don't worry, we won't be holding evening lectures and workshops on carbon cycles and alternative energy! However, you can expect our experienced and knowledgeable guides to develop your understanding of the amazing environment in which we live.
Our business activities and trip operations are purposefully designed to minimise environmental impact and operate on a low carbon basis. For example, all of our group holidays start at mainline train stations and we keep the use of motorised vehicles to a minimum. We are all about experiencing the wilderness using human power, be that on foot or by bike, kayak, canoe and sail boat.
Like any business, we cannot eliminate our consumption of energy altogether and therefore we have taken the decision to mitigate all unavoidable carbon emissions. For more details on our climate change strategy, please see our Carbon Balance page.
Local Communities and Economies
A Wilderness Scotland experience is defined not only by its environmental qualities. Integral to the experience is an involvement and interaction with local communities.
We consistently receive feedback from clients that the encounters and relationships with the local population are one of the most enjoyable and memorable elements of a trip to the Highlands and Islands. We strongly support this view and recognise the wonderful contribution and added value that communities, culture and customs make to the tourism experience.
We are absolutely committed to engaging local businesses throughout our entire operation and ensuring that the economic benefits are distributed in this equitable way. As well as providing a great service to our clients, by working with local partners it also means that our groups always receive a warm welcome from the locals wherever we go.
Supporting Nature Conservation in Scotland
In 2010 we launched an exciting Conservation Contibution Scheme which provides significant financial support for one of Scotland's foremost nature conservation organisations - the John Muir Trust. Please click here for full details.
We have provided extensive financial support over the year sand continue to provide operational support services to the Wilderness Foundation UK. The Wilderness Foundation campaign to raise awareness of the importance of wilderness and offer an inspiring range of wilderness experiences for young people and peace and reconcilliation groups in some of the earth's most precious wilderness regions. Central to the work of the Wilderness Foundation is the belief that only by experiencing wild places at first hand, will individuals truly understand and appreciate the continued value of wild places in our modern society. This is a philosophy we share at Wilderness Scotland.
You may be interested to note that we also offer specialist consultancy services relating to Sustainable Tourism and Ecotourism Development. For details of our services, click here.
Wilderness Scotland
Inverdruie House
Aviemore
Cairngorms National Park
Scotland, PH22 1QH
Tel:+44 (0)131 625 6635
Email: info@wildernessscotland.com
© 2012 Wilderness Scotland
