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Activities

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Selected Trips

    David Picken

    David Picken

    Dedicated | Enthusiastic | Fun

    Mini Bio

    I have been lucky enough to have travelled and adventured throughout the world on foot, on skis, by bike and by boat! However, Scotland holds my passion more than ever.

    Having worked for the John Muir Trust, the Uk’s leading wild land charity, for many years. I have gained a wealth of knowledge and experience of many of the wild places we visit.

    Place to Play

    Around Temple, where I live, always offers something new to see, or is it Knoydart, or Eigg, or Harris, ah just too many to choose from.

    Not a lot of people know this

    I have over 250,000 pets, one teaspoon of honey takes 50,000 bee flights.

    Adventurer's Stories about David

    See earlier comments

    Joan Lyon
    Wilderness Walking - Outer Hebrides: Uists, Barra and Mingulay
    Reviewed on 19/09/2023

    very knowledgeable and great company.

    Paul Dufresne
    Wilderness Walking - Outer Hebrides: Uists, Barra and Mingulay
    Reviewed on 11/09/2023

    Dave was exceptional. He managed the group by spending time w each of us, answered many questions which no doubt had been asked before, made modifications to the schedule to accommodate requests and he just fun.

    kathleen Vaughan
    Wilderness Walking - Argyll & the Isles
    Reviewed on 21/08/2023

    One of the best things about WS trips is the quality of the guides and Dave was no exception to this. Despite having never me him previously, it immediately felt like I was meeting up with an old friend for a good holiday. A really top bloke.

    Edmund Murray
    Wilderness Walking - Argyll & the Isles
    Reviewed on 21/08/2023

    Dave was great -- knowledgable, friendly, and an excellent tour leader!

    Scott Milgroom
    Wilderness Walking - High Points of the Outer Hebrides
    Reviewed on 11/06/2023

    Dave is very knowledgeable and gave us just the right amount of encouragement and kindness. The tea and coffee after our walks, with our mugs, was so much looked forward to by all of us. Excellent choice of coffee!

    Gloria Wong
    Wilderness Walking - High Points of the Outer Hebrides
    Reviewed on 06/06/2023

    Dave was a superb guide. Lots of fun and encouragement. He chose routes to match the weather and we all were grateful of the tea, coffee and cake at the end of a hike.

    Marianne Ismail
    Wilderness Walking - High Points of the Outer Hebrides
    Reviewed on 01/06/2023

    Dave is a great guide, very knowledgeable about far-flung wildlife viewing spots, and has a great eye for spotting wildlife. He got us everywhere on schedule--no small feat given all of the logistics on this trip--and even found time for some bonus stops (black-headed gulls, anyone?). He handled it all with calm and good humor. The afternoon tea breaks at the back of the van were such a nice touch!

    Libby Gilbert
    Wildlife Adventures - The Scottish Highlands
    Reviewed on 18/05/2023

    Our recent trip to Scotland was an unforgettable experience. Our guide, Dave, was not only an excellent driver, but also friendly and extremely knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna. As a passionate birder, I appreciated his help in identifying and locating specific birds, such as the Dipper.

    Dave was also very accommodating when it came to meeting our individual needs. He made it a point to stop at a post office for my wife and helped me find medication for my heartburn. Overall, our journey through Scotland was seamless and enjoyable, thanks to our attentive and resourceful guide.

    Trent Stanley
    Wildlife Adventures - The Scottish Highlands
    Reviewed on 16/05/2023

    Dave was fantastic & gauged the levels of the group brilliantly. There were more birders than hikers, but he made sure to cater for everyone by asking us at the beginning of the week what we were hoping to achieve. Even on the transfer day to Grantown, he made sure to stop along the way to stretch our legs & either stop at a hide, peacock farm, Highland coos or any soaring raptures. While we packed a lot in, the pace always felt at ease

    Sandra Morris
    Wildlife Adventures - The Scottish Highlands
    Reviewed on 15/05/2023

    Dave was thoughtful in his choice of walks and arranged an alternative for one that was beyond my ability. He was always aware of all the abilities in the group and led from behind when he needed to. A great guide.

    Christiane Emeny
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 30/09/2022

    Dave is an excellent leader. His heart must have sank when on the first day of walking I badly sprained both ankles. However, procedures were clearly in place and followed. I am very grateful to Dave (leader) for arranging for Dave (from the Lodge) to meet me on the track and take me back to the lodge by quadbike.
    Dave (leader) ensured I was well looked after. He also suggested alternative activities for Mike and I to do for the rest of the week which was greatly appreciated.

    Janet Milne
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 24/09/2022

    Liked David's style and the willingness to offer walks over rougher terrain for those able to do so. All this was done whilst having to mange quite a wide range of abilities in the group

    Colin Whitelock
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 23/09/2022

    I thought our guide, Dave, was excellent. He was clearly very experienced and knew the area well, which meant he was able to adapt the programme to suit both the group and the weather conditions.

    Ruth Law
    Wilderness Walking - High Points of the Outer Hebrides
    Reviewed on 19/06/2022

    Dave was very experienced and chose the best routes for the weather and our capabilities

    Richard Buxton
    Wilderness Walking - High Points of the Outer Hebrides
    Reviewed on 14/06/2022

    Cannot speak more highly of David. He was great!

    Margaret O'Hara
    High Points of Torridon and Wester Ross
    Reviewed on 06/06/2022

    Dave is a wonderful guide! He is very knowledgeable about the islands and was always willing to answer questions. Adequate time was provided at each stop to explore, photograph the wildlife and relax. He is great at solving problems and helping each participant as needed. Would love to do another trip with him!

    Ann Maclean
    Wildlife Adventures - Outer Hebrides & St Kilda
    Reviewed on 06/06/2022

    We had a great time, Dave was friendly and easy to spend time with, very knowledgeable about the wildlife and local/area information.

    Jennifer Mead
    Wildlife Adventures - Outer Hebrides & St Kilda
    Reviewed on 01/06/2022

    Dave was extremely knowledgeable about Lewis and Harris terrain, wildlife and history. I appreciated his flexibility and sense of humour plus he was very helpful and kind.

    Kathryn Bouey
    Wildlife Adventures - Outer Hebrides & St Kilda
    Reviewed on 31/05/2022

    Our guide, David was very knowledgeable, helpul, friendly and polite.

    Dawn Roberts
    Wildlife Adventures - Outer Hebrides & St Kilda
    Reviewed on 30/05/2022

    Dave was absolutely first class. We could not have wished for a better guide and can't praise him enough.

    Barry Eaglestone
    Wildlife Adventures - Mull, Staffa & Iona
    Reviewed on 24/05/2022

    David was great - friendly and encouraging, pushed us just the right amount! Very knowledgable re. plants and wildlife. Nothing was too much trouble for him.

    Nick Brown
    High Points of Torridon and Wester Ross
    Reviewed on 23/05/2022

    Dave was excellent throughout the trip, relaxed but well organised and had a thorough knowledge of the area, its wildlife and its vegetation. His patience was outstanding!!

    Jean Askham
    Wildlife Adventures - Mull, Staffa & Iona
    Reviewed on 17/05/2022

    Dave was brilliant see previous comments.

    John Garner
    Wilderness Walking - Outer Hebrides: Uists, Barra and Mingulay
    Reviewed on 03/10/2021

    Dave was very helpful and well informed about the history which added interest to the walks.

    Janet Probyn
    Wilderness Walking - Outer Hebrides: Uists, Barra and Mingulay
    Reviewed on 27/09/2021

    Outstanding driver,guide, knowledge of the area. Perfect consideration for group preferences and needs. A great asset to your organisation. Thank you.

    Trish Dann
    Wilderness Walking - The Orkney Islands
    Reviewed on 13/09/2021

    Dave was an excellent guide - thoughtful to all and knew just about everything

    Fiona Peel
    Wilderness Walking - The Orkney Islands
    Reviewed on 06/09/2021

    Dave was very good and helpful, it is not easy to please everyone but he did very well.

    Ruth Beach
    Wilderness Walking - The Orkney Islands
    Reviewed on 06/09/2021

    Knowledgeable, calm and encouraging. I felt safe at all times and Dave's own brand of humour was very entertaining. His care for everyone's interests meant that we were all catered for - even the unfit.

    Kath Becker
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 20/08/2021

    Dave was very friendly, helpful and good humoured. he was great at briefing us on the walks, what we could expect and providing extra knowledge on the area. he was so helpful in spotting and identifying the birds and wildlife which really added so much to the enjoyment of the area and the overall trip.

    Jill Holland
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 17/08/2021

    Our Guide, Dave was helpful, supportive and enabling I felt he had an eye on us all and our various levels of fitness while leaving us fee to enjoy the freedom offered by walking. He was very knowledgable about the area and wild life. The routes were well chosen to take in as much as possible of the area, the capacity of the group. and the weather.

    Joanna Lee
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 17/08/2021

    Calm and able guide. Hands off approach worked for us. Good mix of walks selected.

    Jane Gordon
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 11/08/2021

    Dave was simply brilliant. Calm, experienced and adaptable

    Chris Hoyle
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 10/08/2021

    The guide did what he was supposed to. It isn't easy leading a group with different abilities and experience. We more or less followed the schedule but missed the hill behind Inverie out. That was disappointing. The weather was fine that day so not sure why.

    TEAM WILDERNESS RESPONSE:

    We appreciate your awareness that goes into leading a group with varying abilities. In this instance, the ascent may have been missed because of something going on behind the scenes, we trust our guides to be discreet when necessary. I'm glad you saw so much wildlife and that the weather was so lovely for you. We would love to welcome you back to do some more hill walking!

    Fiona Holland
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 10/08/2021

    Dave was brilliant. Looked after everyone. Hope the next guide on a holiday with WS will be as good.

    Jane Harper
    Wilderness Walking - High Points of the Outer Hebrides
    Reviewed on 15/06/2021

    See previous comments.

    Sheran Hill
    Wilderness Walking - High Points of the Outer Hebrides
    Reviewed on 08/06/2021

    Dave was very knowledgeable and good at making us feel comfortable and informed. He was also flexible in trying to accommodate all of our needs.

    Melvin Lee
    Wildlife Adventures - The Scottish Highlands
    Reviewed on 12/05/2021

    This was my third Wilderness Scotland trip and my third Excellent guide. Dave could not have done any more to help us. Brilliant!

    Louise Fletcher
    Wildlife Adventures - The Scottish Highlands
    Reviewed on 10/05/2021

    They were both very good. Knowledgeable, friendly, keen to help.

    Richard Hall
    Wilderness Walking - The Orkney Islands
    Reviewed on 15/09/2020

    They were outstanding - knowledgable, personable, tolerant and fun to be with!

    Chris Joly
    Wilderness Walking - The Orkney Islands
    Reviewed on 04/09/2020

    Friendly and knowledgeable with a sense of humour.

    Anna Donald
    Wilderness Walking - The Orkney Islands
    Reviewed on 04/09/2020

    Our two guides Dave and Alan were superb. They had to deal with the new difficulties and frustrations of post lockdown regulations but did so with humour, patience and professionalism . Each day they clearly worked hard to ensure we had the best experience possible and were able to adapt our schedule to changing weather conditions . I had full confidence in their care and expertise .

    Lesley Dunford
    Wilderness Walking - The Orkney Islands
    Reviewed on 03/09/2020

    Dave was just excellent! He was friendly, funny, extremely knowledgeable in terms of what was happening in the community, history, wildlife and the places we visited. We warmed up to him immediately. He knew the trails well and he made sure the hikes were fun and challenging enough so that we get to see the real beauty of the wilderness. Although the landscape and terrain was all new to me and some of the hikes were more challenging than what I had anticipated, I am extremely happy that I had Dave as my guide because not only was he patient and experienced in guiding me through some rough trails but most of all he gave me a sense of accomplishment and it made me appreciate the beauty of the wilderness even more. He also made sure we had some culture and fun during the trip by joining us in a ceilidh in Harris, which was great fun. I had such a perfect trip thanks to Dave.

    Thanks for the dances Dave!

    Florence Iniachimuthu
    Wilderness Walking - Outer Hebrides & Skye
    Reviewed on 08/11/2019

    Dave Pickens was an excellent guide. He was extremely knowledgeable about all of the areas we visited in terms of community and history. And he was an excellent guide on the trails. He knew just the right amount of challenge to incorporate in the walks to make them both enjoyable and challenging. He tirelessly drove us around from morning to evening, ensuring we experienced both cultural highlights and hiking highlights and added some surprises here and there. We were always informed on the daily itinerary and he offered great summaries as well.

    Kimberly Heiser
    Wilderness Walking - Outer Hebrides & Skye
    Reviewed on 21/10/2019

    Dave was great. His knowledge of lots of topics was amazing. (History, wildlife, current events, geography, helping me discover new whiskies to try!) He handled all the details of driving, food, accommodations well and made sure we had great walks even when plans had to change. He was always in good humor and encouraged the slowest member of the group. (Me!) He definitely "made" the trip the success that it was. Thanks!

    Merri Ann Baker-Radcliffe
    Wilderness Walking - Outer Hebrides: Uists, Barra and Mingulay
    Reviewed on 08/10/2019

    Unfailingly cheerful, helpful, informative, considerate and efficient

    Steve Loveman
    Wilderness Walking - Outer Hebrides: Uists, Barra and Mingulay
    Reviewed on 30/09/2019

    Dave really made the trip - explains the geography, geology, wildlife and knowledge of local population

    Judith Loveman
    Wilderness Walking - Outer Hebrides: Uists, Barra and Mingulay
    Reviewed on 30/09/2019

    See previous comments on Dave. He was fantastic!

    Nicole Jarjour
    19WSTM Tailor Made trips
    Reviewed on 07/09/2019

    Great, caring guides

    Liesel Van Niekerk
    19WSPD_Private Departure
    Reviewed on 22/07/2019

    Dave and Paul were fantastic! Would strongly recommend them to anyone

    Ralph Buddle
    19WSPD_Private Departure
    Reviewed on 08/07/2019

    Dave and Paul were excellent and blended well with our team. The really spoiled us everyday.

    Norman Thomson
    19WSPD_Private Departure
    Reviewed on 08/07/2019

    David is a very good guide who was attentive and ensured everyone got the best from the trip. He was flexible and managed the programme well. He was able to add in a really interesting walk through a forest followed by an evening meal in a delightful little restaurant in Tayvallich

    Maura Buchanan
    Wilderness Walking - Argyll & the Isles
    Reviewed on 20/06/2019

    This was our second trip with Dave and we think he is excellent. I particularly like his interest in maps and finding interesting trails.

    Richard Lewis
    Wilderness Walking - Argyll & the Isles
    Reviewed on 18/06/2019

    As I said, Dave was a great leader. Not only did he have extensive knowledge, but could read the tone of the group and adjust accordingly. He really brought the group together, though my daughter and I took off a few hikes to hang out together.

    Leonard Rann
    Wilderness Walking - The Orkney Islands
    Reviewed on 11/06/2019

    Very flexible. Knew where to go.

    Rosemary Honour Smith
    Wilderness Walking - The Orkney Islands
    Reviewed on 10/06/2019

    Dave is the latest in a series of excellent guides. Perfect balance of attentiveness and flexibility

    Gavin Bateman
    Wilderness Walking - Argyll & the Isles
    Reviewed on 10/06/2019

    Dave did a great job of managing the group and timing. I especially appreciated his ability to get us to the potentially crowded sites early—Italian Chapel, Skara Brae.

    Shelley McEwan
    Wilderness Walking - The Orkney Islands
    Reviewed on 08/06/2019

    I daily expected an easy day to follow the preceding hard day. But, the weather continuing, often unexpectedly, fair, I guess the opportunity didn't arise, and in retrospect I wouldn't have wished it different.

    Adam Long
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 06/06/2019

    Dave was a superb guide: knowledgeable, friendly, supportive and flexible. I felt all the time that I was in good hands.

    Maria Nikolajeva
    Wilderness Walking - The Orkney Islands
    Reviewed on 03/06/2019

    Felt confident & safe with the guide at all times.

    Keila Hickton
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 17/05/2019

    Informative, flexible, helpful, breat.

    Ethel Hickton
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 16/05/2019

    Excellent leadership! Dave had everything quietly and efficiently organised on a daily basis. I think we all felt comfortable to walking at our own pace during the day.

    Katharine Tighe
    Wilderness Walking - National Parks of the UK
    Reviewed on 09/10/2018

    Dave was a great guy and he did anything to make our trip the best it could be. He was totally organized and made us laugh on a regular basis. LOVED HIM!

    Cathie Heenan
    Wilderness Walking - National Parks of the UK
    Reviewed on 28/09/2018

    Knowledgeable, welcoming, with a great sense of humor. What more do you need?

    Kristina Schramm
    Wilderness Walking - National Parks of the UK
    Reviewed on 26/09/2018

    As stated earlier, I was really happy to go at my own pace. Our guide was very friendly and patient with us, always on time, and always prepared.

    Margaret Hanson
    Wilderness Walking - National Parks of the UK
    Reviewed on 21/09/2018

    Dave was spot on as far as I am concerned. He took us on challenging hikes but always had our safety in mind and always managed to give us an easy path on the last leg of the walk.

    Lindsaye Brown
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 29/08/2018

    Dave was super knowledgeable about the Knoydart area, and if he didn't know the answer he made a point of finding out. I liked that he knew something of the historic and current pressures on the area, landowners, environmental concerns etc - it put the walking and exploring in context for me.

    Lucy Bullen-Smith
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 27/08/2018

    Our guide David was very experienced, friendly and made us love the places in the wilderness we walked. He made us really experience the wilderness.
    He has been always part of the group, never distant and always attentive at our needs.

    Maura Astesano
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 21/08/2018

    Dave coped well with a mix of abilities and personalities, and bad weather. He encouraged us to push ourselves.

    Mary Dunn
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 21/08/2018

    As mentioned before Al and Dave were excellent guides, very well organised, calm kept us in good time and order, very informative about the area in all its apsects, got a good measure of the groups skills and adjusted the trip accordingly

    Jane Anderson
    Road Cycling - Outer Hebrides
    Reviewed on 25/07/2018

    See comments in first question. Both Dave and Al worked hard to make sure we had a great time!

    Caroline Penn
    Road Cycling - Outer Hebrides
    Reviewed on 18/07/2018

    Dave and Al were outstanding guides. A great pleasure meeting them. They make or break the experience I would imagine. They were both excellent.

    Michael Valentine
    Road Cycling - Outer Hebrides
    Reviewed on 17/07/2018

    Dave and Tim were superb. They answered all our questions, often repeatedly, with patience and thought and I always felt comfortable asking anything I wanted. They were fun and engaging, and kept us going with encouragement and snacks! They were very knowledgable about the trails, routes and the country and I enjoyed talking with them very much. They really went above and beyond and I feel fortunate to have had them on my trip.

    Alisha Anderson
    Mountain Biking - The Hebridean Trail
    Reviewed on 12/07/2018

    David and Tim - they put up with so much! It's hard to get 8 adults to do ANYTHING on time. But they did. Ok...it took a day but...

    They were funny, knowledgable, strong and confident enough to make us feel confident in uncomfortable circumstances (the "carry"!!). Cannot say enough. They made the trip.

    Stephanie Thomas
    Mountain Biking - The Hebridean Trail
    Reviewed on 11/07/2018

    Easygoing, knowledgeable about history, geology and flora and fauna. They felt like mates who you could tell anything to or ask anything of. They did a good job in allowing flexibility to go fast or slow on the rides, around for support but not appearing to be nursemaiding us.

    Excellent job by Dave to repair the trailer connection plug.

    One puncture - Al despite a sabotaged spare tube saw the victim back on her way.

    Very much appreciated the evening trips in the van,

    David Cartmell
    Road Cycling - Outer Hebrides
    Reviewed on 09/07/2018

    The guides were excellent. I didn’t participate in all the biking but they made sure I got the most from the journey. They were very informative and always laid on a very welcome cup of coffee and lovely spread for lunch locally sourced. I think they put in 110% to make sure we all enjoyed it. Thank you Dave and Tim

    Mary Brown
    Mountain Biking - The Hebridean Trail
    Reviewed on 02/07/2018

    Dave managed the group to make sure that every participant met his/her expectations. I appreciated his choice of paths and activities, according to conditions. He managed stops when we passed through beatiful places. And most of all, he gallantly walked for a long time twice during the week, to retrive the car when when we were beginning to be a little bit burned out. I am very thakful for that.

    Raymonde Veilleux
    Wilderness Walking - High Points of the Outer Hebrides
    Reviewed on 24/05/2018

    knowledgeable, helpful, efficient, patient, friendly

    Barbara Le Masurier
    Wilderness Walking - High Points of the Outer Hebrides
    Reviewed on 22/05/2018

    Dave was fun and took good care of us without patronising or over organising. He went over and above to give us a great walking and outdoor experience.

    Uschi Hofmann
    Wilderness Walking - High Points of the Outer Hebrides
    Reviewed on 22/05/2018

    Dave did great job of accommodating different hiking speeds. Three different speeds in general. Pleasant, easy personality!

    Patricia Gallagher
    Wilderness Walking - The West Highland Way
    Reviewed on 07/10/2017

    Dave made the trip for me. So friendly, knowledgeable, dependable and a great sense of humour.

    Elizabeth Farrow
    Wilderness Walking - The West Highland Way
    Reviewed on 06/10/2017

    Management of diverse group,excellent.

    Andrew McDouall
    Wilderness Walking - The West Highland Way
    Reviewed on 05/10/2017

    David was an excellent guide. There were a few from around the world! He was very patient with the slow ones, one of which was myself! I just wanted to enjoy the walk and not rush!

    Carolyn Hartley
    Wilderness Walking - The West Highland Way
    Reviewed on 05/10/2017

    Dave was fantastic! He knew a ton about the geography and history of the West Highland Way. I had total confidence in his ability to navigate and keep us safe.

    Jessica DeConto
    Wilderness Walking - The West Highland Way
    Reviewed on 28/09/2017

    Dave was patient and knowledgeable. He did an admiral job of herding the 'cats' and always did it with a smile. When asked a question, if he did not know something off the top of his head, then he researched the question and provided an answer. Dave was a delight.

    Raymond DeConto
    Wilderness Walking - The West Highland Way
    Reviewed on 28/09/2017

    Knowledge and flexibility in adapting trips according to weather conditions

    Dominic Batten
    Road Cycling - Skye and the Inner Hebrides
    Reviewed on 15/09/2017

    Both were very caring and considerate. One was extremely knowledgeable and competent in bike mechanics; the other projected solid, very competent leadership. I have nothing but praise for both.

    Malcolm Wood
    Road Cycling - Skye and the Inner Hebrides
    Reviewed on 05/09/2017

    Dave did an excellent job. The group was basically half fast and half slow, but he managed to keep everyone happy and within sight of one another. I liked his detailed knowledge and explanations with the maps.

    Richard Lewis
    Wilderness Walking - Outer Hebrides: Uists, Barra and Mingulay
    Reviewed on 21/08/2017

    Could not have had a better guide than Dave

    Stephanie Jushinski
    Wilderness Walking - Outer Hebrides: Uists, Barra and Mingulay
    Reviewed on 14/08/2017

    I'd start by repeating the previous commentary on the overall trip. 10 out of 10. Due almost entirely to our guides Dave Picken and John Hamilton. I mentioned before the story telling and the whisky education. More detail before. Dave and John made Jane and I entirely at ease and safe throughout. Our off road mountain bike riding improved with practice (starting from the lowest of levels). Expert tuition helped enormously plus thei patience and good cheer. We loved riding most of the day, with breaks to refuel and enjoy good company. Dave and John were always flexible and understanding. A real credit to Wilderness Scotland.

    Mark Donovon
    17WSPD_Private Departure
    Reviewed on 01/08/2017

    No complaints, nice and entertainingt people.. did a good job handling different riding skills of the group.

    Thorarinn Thorarinsson
    Road Cycling - The Grand Tour
    Reviewed on 12/06/2017

    Two thumbs up.

    Allison Osborn
    17WSTM Tailor Made trips
    Reviewed on 04/06/2017

    Dave was friendly, relaxed and set a good steady pace when we were walking. He was a pleasure to be with. He gave us information (but not too much!) and was able to be flexible about the day's programme to fit in with the one bit of mist which appeared (over the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing) so that the mist burned off and we returned later at a more appropriate time. His company was very much appreciated. He got us to places we would not otherwise have found.

    Ann Paton
    Wilderness Walking - Outer Hebrides & Skye
    Reviewed on 26/05/2017

    See previous comments about Dave. He rapidly assessed our capabilities and tailored our hikes to the weather conditions and the skills of the group. He always aimed to maximize our experience and did so successfully. His sense of humour was delightful.

    Jonathan Fleming
    Wilderness Walking - Outer Hebrides & Skye
    Reviewed on 23/05/2017

    Dave interacted really well with our group (a mix of ages and interests) and read our capabilities well. In addition as mentioned previously I particularly appreciated all the details about local history, land usage, wildlife and culture. I learned a ton. I also thought his demeanor - no fuss, calm and "let's go" - was a great approach. We had amazing weather and our whole group seemed game for good exertion but even still he kept us moving. Thanks, Dave! I hope you had fun with us.

    Keri Disch
    Wilderness Walking - Outer Hebrides & Skye
    Reviewed on 16/05/2017

    The guide was very knowledgeable about the area and made excellent decisions about which route would best suit the group and the conditions. I would have been interested to hear more about the wildlife we were seeing, as has been the case on previous trips.

    Caroline Bottoms
    Wilderness Walking - Outer Hebrides & Skye
    Reviewed on 15/05/2017

    Dave was great, couldn't have asked for a better guide.

    Adam Fischer
    Wilderness Walking - Outer Hebrides & Skye
    Reviewed on 15/05/2017

    Dave did a really nice job. the hikes were spectacular!

    Jeff Jordan
    16WSTM Tailor Made trips
    Reviewed on 02/09/2016

    I've already said it all - they were great, and a good double act! I know the week wasn't that easy for them, in terms of changes to the schedule and coping with the weather. I think they coped really well - the revised plans were excellent and I certainly felt everything was under control and they had our best interests at heart. I have never been given a warm macaroni cheese pie in the rain, washed down with hot blackcurrant, but it was really welcome!

    Clare Crowther
    Road Cycling - Outer Hebrides
    Reviewed on 23/08/2016

    Dave Picken went way beyond our expectations to make sure we had the kind of trip we wanted. He was fun, smart, punctual. We considered him our friend.

    Ann Holt
    16WSTM Tailor Made trips
    Reviewed on 23/08/2016

    Experienced, friendly, informative and fun !

    Robin Smith
    Road Cycling - Outer Hebrides
    Reviewed on 22/08/2016

    Both guides were excellent.

    Trevor Charles Mitchell
    Road Cycling - Outer Hebrides
    Reviewed on 15/08/2016

    Duncan and David were unfailingly patient and were also great at socializing with all of us.

    Maryanne Mackinnon
    Road Cycling - Outer Hebrides
    Reviewed on 15/08/2016

    David Picken and Duncan Warner focused on the safety of the cyclists and solved every problem we encountered. They are both very spirited and have a great sense of humor. In particular David Picken is extremely knowledgeable of Scotland and the Outer Hebrides.

    James Collora
    Road Cycling - Outer Hebrides
    Reviewed on 15/08/2016

    top

    Mike Reiner
    Mountain Biking - Coast to Coast
    Reviewed on 08/08/2016

    Knowledgeable, interesting, strong, professional, fun. They did a excellent job, I would recommend them for any future trip. They were there when you needed them, helped with the smallest details to big concerns of each day riding. (Tim Francis mapped one heck of a route through the mountains. I was cursing him several times over, jokingly.) I understand our pace each day but taking it slower in certain sections, taking more pictures would also work. Thank you so very much for showing us the beautiful landscapes and culture of Scotland!
    I wish my nerve pain were better under control. I'm glad Dave and I signed up for this trip. It was challenging for me, I am stronger for completing The coast-to-coast journey mentally and physically.
    Thanks,
    Bob

    Bob Gutowski
    Mountain Biking - Coast to Coast
    Reviewed on 03/08/2016

    David and Andy managed the trip well, but more than that, they added to the experience with their considerable knowledge of the local history, the routes, and genuine hospitality.

    Dave Nelson
    Mountain Biking - Coast to Coast
    Reviewed on 02/08/2016

    Great guides, looked after our every need and were very informative with history and geography along the way, also managed differing abilties very well.

    Barry Slater
    Mountain Biking - Coast to Coast
    Reviewed on 02/08/2016

    Dave is knowledgeable about 'all things Scotland' and is a passionate & skilled guide. His ability to manage a group and make modifications where necessary is admirable.

    Pam Landry
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 21/07/2016

    The guide always prepared to listen and knews very well the landscape and gave us good advices

    Isabelle Gourraud
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 14/07/2016

    David provided great thought in planning our trips and enormous effort and interest in the execution of the day trips. Very knowledgeable, helpful and considerate.

    Paul Schulties
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 13/07/2016

    A self guide trip is not possible because without paths , It´s realy dificult to find the good orientation. Using compass is necessary.

    Cathy Etchepare
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 12/07/2016

    Dave - he's probably the best you have!

    Kirk Forrest
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 08/07/2016

    Well done , Dave . Excellent guide , attention to detail & professionalism in every aspect of our trip , great knowledge & great camaraderie amongst every person in the group & with every person who was involved in making the trip a success .

    Katherine Edwards
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 05/07/2016

    Dave and Graham were brilliant, we very much enjoyed their company. They both worked tirelessly to make our holiday a trip of a lifetime. Nothing was too much trouble. They explained everything we were doing along the way. I particularly liked Dave's knowledge and insight to the landscapes and wildlife we were seeing. Graham's impromptu mountain biking lessons were fantastic, giving me the confidence to tackle single track that I would never have done normally. He would often say at a critical point.... "now remember to smile, you are on holiday !" which still makes me smile now! They are both a huge credit to Wilderness Scotland.

    Iain McCormick
    Mountain Biking - The Hebridean Trail
    Reviewed on 09/06/2016

    Our guide, David Picken, was terrific. He was flexible and creative in revising our walks to meet our preferences, interesting, knowledgeable, and congenial. He fit right in with our group.

    Kathryn West
    16WSPD_Private Departure
    Reviewed on 31/05/2016

    Superb can't say enough great things about Dave

    Casey West
    16WSPD_Private Departure
    Reviewed on 31/05/2016

    Thank you, David, for putting up with us! Your willingness to work with us to make each day work was greatly appreciated.

    Caroline Hovey
    16WSPD_Private Departure
    Reviewed on 26/05/2016

    I think (hope) David how we felt about him. He was just perfect for our group of 8. We liked that he sized us up and gave us the experience that challenged us but didn't put us in jeopardy. He was prepared with contingencies and listened well to changes we wanted to make in our plans. He gave is sights and vistas that were diverse within the Highlands and distinct from one another so that each day was different from the last and the next. He is so knowledgeable and committed to the land, which shone through in all that he did. You are fortunate to have him as a guide.

    Susan Rathgeber
    16WSPD_Private Departure
    Reviewed on 25/05/2016

    David was terrific. Great sense of humor and very knowledgeable. Everyone enjoyed him and he was very willing to alter his itinerary to keep us happy. After the first day we went to a pub every day instead of soggy sandwiches we had the first day.

    Thomas Hovey
    16WSPD_Private Departure
    Reviewed on 24/05/2016

    David was first rate. He insured that we experienced the beauty of western Scotland and adapted the routes to meet our skill sets and expectations. He was very knowledgeable and fun to be with off the trail.

    John Rathgeber
    16WSPD_Private Departure
    Reviewed on 24/05/2016

    Dave and Graham were fantastic. Really friendly, immeasurably patient, very knowledgable. They made what they did look effortless, which I am quite sure it was not!

    Becky McCormick
    Mountain Biking - The Hebridean Trail
    Reviewed on 16/05/2016

    as per previous comments


    15WSTM Tailor Made trips
    Reviewed on 17/10/2015

    Henry and Dave were a great team

    Douglas French
    15WSTM Tailor Made trips
    Reviewed on 12/10/2015

    Henry was, as last year, a rock. Cheerful and enormously generous. Dave was also very good company, thoughtful, informed, amusing and both were took great care of us. As last year with Tim could not be bettered. Really EXCELLENT.

    Iain Rugheimer
    15WSTM Tailor Made trips
    Reviewed on 09/10/2015

    Nice knowledgeable guy who kept us on the right route at a nice comfortable pace for all whilst pointing out the local history and interesting bits

    Gregor Logan
    15WSTM Tailor Made trips
    Reviewed on 05/10/2015

    Dave was patient and very knowledgeable.

    Einar Wilder-Smith
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 01/09/2015

    Dave was lovely. Very inclusive & friendly to all. Great planning & previews (with maps) before each day's walk. Obviously very capable & experienced. I felt safe walking with him.

    Joy McDonald
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 01/09/2015

    Always felt safe but went out of way to make walks exciting. Lot of information re wildlife and places we visited but given informally. Friendly and nice to everyone

    Mary Corbett
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 27/08/2015

    Dave made excellent choices of what we did each day, we had a wonderfully good week (some very good weather helped), and he is an exceptional leader.

    Patrick Corbett
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 27/08/2015

    Our guide Dave is clearly extremely knowledgeable; we always felt safe in his hands and confident he had chosen routes appropriate to the fitness levels of the group as a whole. He always considered individual members of the group and was very flexible in catering for individual needs/requests.

    Gerry Callan
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 26/08/2015

    Dave was a great guide. He was very knowledgeable about the area, the terrain, etc. He also made sure there were options available for those who may not want to go on the planned hike of the day.

    Jon Cross
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 25/08/2015

    Dave managed the group very well and dealt with our individual requests as best he could within the confines of the trip.

    Paul Newman
    Road Cycling - The Grand Tour
    Reviewed on 25/05/2015

    Good to Very Good. Dave was wonderful. He is a gentle man and extended time and care to the safety and arrangements of the group. He interacted well with all of the members and served the role very well. Ben was on the trip, not truly a guide, however, he made the experience very good because he added a dimension to the trip that was essential. He was an additional rider for slower cyclists and necessary support, he was also a gentle and kind person who had knowledge of the area and he interacted well with every participant. The trip would not have been as good without him.

    Leigh Kearney
    Road Cycling - The Grand Tour
    Reviewed on 25/05/2015

    Dave was excellent. Very friendly, kind, knowledgable and fun. It was great to have Ben along as well. He added a lot to the experience. Cube was a faithful servant and set up wonderful tea stops and well as a beautiful lunch at the Lochnagar Distillery. That was the best ever to be inside the tent after a tough riding day and rain during the stop at Balmoral.

    Lisa Gundersen
    Road Cycling - The Grand Tour
    Reviewed on 24/05/2015

    Our friendly, supportive guides helped the group gel together really well. It was especially appreciated that Dave gave everyone encouragement and attention when they needed it. Great having Ben's company too.

    Diana Morgan
    Road Cycling - The Grand Tour
    Reviewed on 18/05/2015

    Dave was ideal for our group. Very informative and helpful.

    Sarah Campano
    Road Cycling - The Grand Tour
    Reviewed on 18/05/2015

    The expectation of any guide is a have a good local knowledge, an ability to communicate across the range of people in his group, skills to read and where necessary encourage all group members, modify daily activities to suit changes in weather conditions and peoples ability. Dave our guide hit all these.

    Craig Whisson
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 31/08/2013

    Dave was great and I liked the way he managed the group. It would be a pleasure to have him again as a guide. The only thing I was surprised about was, that he had never been to Doune before and on some of the days we were hiking in an area that was new to him too. I think I would have found it quite difficult two have a group of 10 people whith different levels of fitness and an unknown area in addition. But, well, that's only from my unexperienced point of view.

    Nadine Graf
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 18/08/2013

    The guide (Dave) was excellent. He gave interesting and appropriate information about our area, about the history of Scotland and some cultural traditions. He also divided his time among the various members of the group in appropriate measure. He was caring and helpful, without being pushy or nosy. I found him very professional, which is what you want in a guide.

    Connie Varner
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 09/08/2013

    Very interactive and available at all times.Was keen to try and accommodate everyones ideas and interests.

    Elaine Pratt
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 06/08/2013

    Dave was wonderful, patient, good humored, flexible, and knowledgable. He's a gem.

    Norris Fergeson
    Fergeson Family - Bespoke Scotland
    Reviewed on 19/06/2013

    Book a trip with David

    Trip / DepartureAvailabilityStatusPriceBook
    Wildlife Adventures – Mull, Staffa & Iona
    20th Apr - 26th Apr 2024
    3 place(s) leftGuaranteed £2,575Book Now
    Wildlife Adventures – The Scottish Highlands
    4th May - 10th May 2024
    5 place(s) leftGuaranteed £2,295Book Now
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    11th May - 18th May 2024
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    Wilderness Walking – Outer Hebrides: Uists, Barra & Mingulay
    25th May - 31st May 2024
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    Wilderness Walking – National Parks of the UK
    11th Aug - 20th Aug 2024
    8 place(s) leftAvailable £3,295Book Now
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    21st Oct - 25th Oct 2024
    6 place(s) leftAvailable £1,395Book Now

    Make Trip Private

    Sometimes it's nice to get family and friends together and travel privately for some quality time. This means you benefit from all the features of the group departure, including hand-picked accommodation and expert local guides and we'll take care of it all. Then you can make your choice of departures dates and we'll get back to you to finalise the details.

    We work together with our team of guides to decide which departures they lead each year. As part of that, guides provide available dates that they are free to be booked. This means that any of the dates you see in the first field of the form below, could be perfect for your private departure or customised tour.

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    © David Picken / Wilderness Scotland

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