Tristan Southall: Our People : Wilderness Scotland

Mini Bio

My first proper job after studying marine biology at university took me from the south of England to the Scottish Highlands.

A quarter of a century later, I’m still here. My outdoor passions are playing in Scotland’s hills, whether hill-walking or running, back-country skiing, scrambling, wild camping, or climbing (especially the classic mountain lines of the early hobnail-booted pioneers).

Those years of adventure and enjoyment have led me to a qualification that I can now use to escape the desk and computer screen (where I’m still to be found a lot of the time) in order to share with others the magic powers of Scotland’s outdoors to amaze, renew and refresh.

Favourite Place to Play

I’m lucky to live close to the hills, and there’s fun and adventure to be had right on my doorstep – Kintail.

Not a lot of People Know This

I once spent a night on a temporary bamboo fishing platform several miles off the coast of Java.

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Qualifications Read More

Summer ML
Outdoor First Aid
RYA Yachtmaster
RYA Senior Dinghy Sailing Instructor

Experience Read More: 25 years in Scotland’s hills and coastal waters.

Biggest Adventure Read More

Hard to choose – probably spending three months horse riding across Patagonia. I was a long way out of my comfort zone!

Specialist Subject Read More

If you ask my friends and family, they’d probably say it’s fish!

What Fellow Travellers Say About Tristan

Tristan did a great job of guiding us but in a relaxed manner - I appreciated his letting some of us split off so that we could walk the higher route along the edge of the Whin Sill while others took the lower route. He had done plenty of research on the local history as well.

Hilary Jordan
Walking - Hadrian's Wall Path
Reviewed on 20/06/2026

Tristan was top notch. He looked out for everyone and helped folks who were struggling at various times.

Barbara Douglas
Walking - Hadrian's Wall Path
Reviewed on 18/06/2026

Tristan had the perfect disposition and patience for an eclectic group of people.

Trina Bartlett
Walking - Hadrian's Wall Path
Reviewed on 18/06/2026

Already called out how good Tristan was...a delight and very helpful to all of us, especially those needing a bit of extra help on occasion. Much appreciated.

Barbara Lindheim
Walking - Hadrian's Wall Path
Reviewed on 18/06/2026

Tristan showed excellent leadership by convincing one of our fellow walkers to not take the more difficult option during some very challenging weather conditions. This took some diplomatic skill.

Bruce Mooney
Walking - Hadrian's Wall Path
Reviewed on 15/06/2026

Tristan was helpful, kind, and patient with those of us at the back of the pack. He was easy to talk with and answered questions fully. I felt safe travelling with his leadership.

Ellen Rabun
Wilderness Walking - The West Highland Way
Reviewed on 25/09/2025

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Wilderness Scotland

Tristan Southall

Mini Bio

Favourite Place to Play

Not a lot of People Know This

What Fellow Travellers Say About Tristan

Tristan's Stories

Scottish History: Corrimony Chambered Cairn

Guest Blog: Astronomical Events to Look Out for This December

One Woman’s Coast to Coast Mountain Biking Adventure

Want more Wilderness in your life?

Wilderness Scotland

Tristan Southall

Mini Bio

Favourite Place to Play

Not a lot of People Know This

What Fellow Travellers Say About Tristan

Tristan's Stories

Scottish History: Corrimony Chambered Cairn

Guest Blog: Astronomical Events to Look Out for This December

One Woman’s Coast to Coast Mountain Biking Adventure

Want more Wilderness in your life?

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