Adventurer's Stories about Howard
In my view our guides Howard and John went above and beyond what I expected from guides. They were knowledgeable, fun and very hard working. In fact they were more than guides, cooking, driving, looking after our needs. Two great guys it was a pleasure to spend time with them.
Chris Boulton
Sea Kayaking - Introduction Course
Reviewed on 22/07/2023
They were always attentive, good humoured and patient. Nothing too much trouble. Fantastic historical knowledge, great technical coaching and a fabulous understanding of the natural world we were immersed in. Great storytellers as well.
Chris Macleod
Sea Kayaking - Introduction Course
Reviewed on 22/07/2023
Howard and Andy were outstanding. They were totally professional and I felt safe all the time. There was a good balance between teaching, instruction and education and letting us enjoy the trip in our own way. I liked the planning sessions when they explained possible options with the maps. They never over-promised - kayaking is weather dependent and they managed our expectations very well.
Katie McConochie
Sea Kayaking - Introduction Course
Reviewed on 17/09/2022
Howard and Andy were fantastic. Very pleasant, totally professional and their wonderful knowledge and experience was impressive. They made our trip safe, informative re geology, wildlife, flora and tides so that we were constantly educated by them. They could not have been better; clever, caring guys who are a total credit to your organisation.
Marianne Nicolson
Sea Kayaking - Introduction Course
Reviewed on 17/09/2022
See previous comments. Howard and Andy and a credit to your organisation. I work in a people facing role so fully appreciate how rare their skills are.
Fiona MacNeill
Sea Kayaking - Introduction Course
Reviewed on 11/09/2022
Howard and Bill were excellent. They always made sure we were fully informed and everyone’s ability was accommodated. I always felt safe and their tutoring was clear and informative. Howard’s prior knowledge of Mull and Iona helped us get to all the best places.
Julie Sweet
Sea Kayaking - The Isle of Mull
Reviewed on 06/09/2022
Both Howard and Bill were really laid back, and fun, but they planned each day's paddling really well, with tides and winds all taken into account and explained to us. A special shout out to Bill who looked after me brilliantly whilst I had a migraine during the paddle on the first full day.
Sharon Moore
Sea Kayaking - The Isle of Mull
Reviewed on 05/09/2022
Our guides were attentive and adjusted each day’s plan based on the group, tides and winds. And so knowledgeable and cheerful, with wonderful stories.
Joann Johnson
Sea Kayaking - The Isle of Mull
Reviewed on 04/09/2022
Howard and Steph, our guides, were totally brilliant. Very knowledgable, welcoming, and learnt loads from both of them. They were attentive and excellent company, plus good fun and part of the group. Always felt in safe hands, very good at guaging the abilities and needs of everyone in the group, worked really hard at ensuring everyone felt at home and could expand their kayaking experience. Really interesting knowledge of the area and willing to share their experience. The Wilderness Scotland guides have always been excellent.
Leah Abbott
Sea Kayaking - The Scottish Highlands
Reviewed on 04/09/2022
Howard and Stephi ( have I spelt that right !? )
Professional , I had confidence in them. Both were good fun to spend time with , really liked them both . They were generous with their time and patient. It’s obvious they enjoy doing what they do .
Jane Dennett
Sea Kayaking - The Scottish Highlands
Reviewed on 03/09/2022
Both Howard and Stephi were excellent, patient teachers and very supportive at every stage. They ensured we all learned and used skills appropriate to the group's different levels of experience. With such a good knowledge of the local area they ensured we made the most of each day and were also great company.
Jane Bentley
Sea Kayaking - The Scottish Highlands
Reviewed on 27/08/2022
Faultless guiding - clear direction, great technical coaching and good spotting of local wildlife.
Andrew Muir
Sea Kayaking - The Isle of Mull
Reviewed on 17/07/2022
Simply the star of the show. There's nothing worse than hanging around with some one who hates their job, with Howard it was the absolute opposite, it's nice to really see someone enjoying what they do. Although I thought it was more, we ended up quite a small team, but with a varied ability. That doesn't matter though, he has every one working together.
Absolute knowledge of the area and what is happening there. It's nice to see someone really enjoying what they are doing - it's infectious.
David Clare
Sea Kayaking - Introduction Course
Reviewed on 10/07/2021
Can`t fault them. Skilled (on the water and around the campsite) , knowledgeable, very hard working, good training skills, and excellent company.
Anthony Colmer
Open Canoeing - River Spey Descent
Reviewed on 07/05/2021
Howard and Jerry have so much experience and knowledge and it really made the trip. Howard did some great cooking and Jerry had so much local knowledge. Great skilled boatmen also. Taught us a lot about canoeing and reading the river.
"Happy Days!"
Jonathan Greenwood
Open Canoeing - River Spey Descent
Reviewed on 07/05/2021
Howard and Jerry worked really well together and group. Their knowledge and expertise was fantastic and they were extremely safe without taking away the enjoyment on the river.
Stuart Devereux
Open Canoeing - River Spey Descent
Reviewed on 07/05/2021
Thanks so much for all your hard work - in keeping us safe, fed and entertained. It was a pleasure to meet you. I'm glad we had you there as there we a few tricky rapids!
Helen Littlejohn
Open Canoeing - River Spey Descent
Reviewed on 08/09/2020
Howard Jeffs and John Hamilton are top notch guides and were excellent communicators helping us to improve our paddling skills. We really enjoyed getting to know them throughout the week.
Diana Herriott
Open Canoeing - Canoeing the Scottish Highlands
Reviewed on 16/09/2019
Howard and Rich were brilliant. I particularly liked Howard’s clear patient explanations and directions and information about the area and Rich’s enthusiasm, support and positivity.
Penny Rodgers
Sea Kayaking - The Scottish Highlands
Reviewed on 07/09/2019
Howard and Richard were very good. Always encouraging and the kayaking instructions/help built up day by day - excellent. I appreciated being taken to sheltered waters according to the daily weather forecasts.
Anne Mohan
Sea Kayaking - The Scottish Highlands
Reviewed on 01/09/2019
Howard is, without any doubt, an excellent guide. Not only given his expertise, skills, and knowledge, but it is also his calm, friendly, and attentive way to deal with any situation, that is beyond expectable. He manages to make everybody feel comfortable.
Petra Grell
Sea Kayaking - Scottish Sea Kayak Trail North - Gaelic Coast
Reviewed on 20/08/2019
Both Howard and Sarah were absolutely fantastic, welcoming, friendly with great local knowledge. Once on the water Howards instruction boosted our knowledge and ability without overwhelming us, particularly regarding the skeg! Sarah was always in the right place to spur us on with advice and encouragement, “Paddle like !#@!” truly inspirational.
Rachel Cousins
Sea Kayaking - The Atlantic Coast
Reviewed on 11/08/2019
Howard and Sarah were both TERRIFIC!! Fun, personable, competent, knowledgeable, responsible, accommodated 8 individuals well.
Karen Jantzen
Sea Kayaking - The Atlantic Coast
Reviewed on 06/08/2019
Even though we paddled in rougher seas and stronger winds then I normally encounter, I always felt safe and confident. I attribute this to the guides who challenged us but aways made us secure. As I said earlier I improved my skills and confidence.
Tom Jantzen
Sea Kayaking - The Atlantic Coast
Reviewed on 04/08/2019
Howard was friendly, warm, full of humor and fully capable. He gave us complete confidence in our safety and enjoyment with him at the helm. Sarah was also a delight, with an air of simple competence and a friendly smile that completed the team well. Sarah in specific went above and beyond to help us out when we were feeling ill and again when the wind was bound and determined to spoil our day, ensuring we had a great time. We can’t thank them enough.
Dan Glading
Sea Kayaking - The Atlantic Coast
Reviewed on 28/07/2019
Howard was amazing. I love how all of your guides I have met so far are so easy to get along with. Howard was so much fun, knew all the great places to paddle and eat and never let a setback dampen our spirits. He expertly knew where to divert us to on the one windy day we had and it was an amazing place - glad we didn't miss it!
Julie Umpherson
Sea Kayaking - The Scottish Highlands
Reviewed on 09/07/2019
Howard Jeffs was knowledgeable and considerate. He'd kindly arranged excellent weather and had a nose for the best eateries.
Kevin Robertson
Sea Kayaking - The Scottish Highlands
Reviewed on 27/05/2019
Hoard and Ross gave us a great trip, thank you. At all times I knew I was safe, I had fun and I learned a lot.
Anne Skitmore
Sea Kayaking - Introduction Course
Reviewed on 30/09/2018
Donald and Howard were both a delight to work with. Both were extremely knowledgeable, pleasant and had a great sense of humor.
Beth Rawson
Sea Kayaking - The Scottish Highlands
Reviewed on 02/09/2018
Both guides were excellent! Howard has an enormous expertise on every single dimension of sea kayaking. He is extremely skilled, brilliantly calm and friendly, with a lovely sense of humor and he is always attentive to the participants needs and wishes and the situation. It is such a pleasure having the opportunity to be on a trip with him; you learn a lot without even noticing. Sarah is a wonderful guide as well, very skilled, always helpful and attentive. Both were working perfectly together.
Petra Grell
Sea Kayaking - The Summer Isles
Reviewed on 27/08/2018
Both guides were exceptional. They were knowledgeable about "everything kayaking".
Both of them were excellent instructors. They also had a wealth of information about Scotland and the particular area we were in.
Lori Crouch
Sea Kayaking - The Atlantic Coast
Reviewed on 28/06/2018
Howard was obviously a very experienced kayaker. Yet he was very patient and we really enjoyed our time with him. He was a good teacher but the experience was enhanced by his knowledge of the local area and by pointing out the wildlife along the way.
Nicola Speakman
Sea Kayaking - The Scottish Highlands
Reviewed on 28/06/2018
Howard was the perfect guide for 2 novice kayakers. He was calm, reassuring and encouraged us to get the most from our time on the water.
D Jean Stone
Sea Kayaking - The Scottish Highlands
Reviewed on 18/06/2018
Howard is an excellent guide. He gave me advice whenever I needed it so was clearly keeping an eye out for how I was getting on. I liked how we discussed options for walks each day before setting out and that he was able to make adjustments to cope with changing circumstances. I felt well looked after.
Anne Johnston
Wilderness Walking - Outer Hebrides: Uists, Barra and Mingulay
Reviewed on 12/06/2018
Howard and Paul were excellent. Fun, very supportive, hard-working, and good coaching without being over-bearing. It was great to have Mel along too as a participant, and she did lots of organising tasks, too.
Libby Hughes
Sea Kayaking - Scottish Sea Kayak Trail North - Gaelic Coast
Reviewed on 25/09/2017
Howard and Sarah were an excellent team. Good balance of holiday and bits of instruction. Very safe in difficult weather. Good fun.
Ros Stokes
Sea Kayaking - The Summer Isles
Reviewed on 29/08/2017
Howard and Bill were just superb; full marks from my end; they basically went out of their way to make the trip a memorable expedition
Joseph Farrugia
Sea Kayaking - West Coast Explorer
Reviewed on 28/08/2017
Howard and Billy - you done good! Great teamwork to make the trip so enjoyable.
The cooking was amazing and the whole trip was really well organised - despite Henry's (?) efforts to sabotage it!
Thanks to Billy, I now have a bit of a whisky thing
Judith Johnson
Sea Kayaking - West Coast Explorer
Reviewed on 27/08/2017
Both Howard and Sarah were highly skilled. They checked what we wanted to do and kept us up to date with information too. I feel my paddeling improved through their support and advise. Just brilliant.
Kate Taylor
Sea Kayaking - The Summer Isles
Reviewed on 23/08/2017
Howard and Sarah were wonderful. Unfailingly good humoured and witty but with reassuring skill and knowledge.
Hilary Clarke
Sea Kayaking - The Summer Isles
Reviewed on 21/08/2017
Howard and Sarah were both fantastic. They tailored the kayaking to our abilities and we had absolute confidence in them. The campsites were beautiful and the food was restaurant standard.
Michael Clarke
Sea Kayaking - The Summer Isles
Reviewed on 20/08/2017
With Howard I knew at once I would always be safe, with its thorough knowledge of the sea and isles, and his constant care. After a couple of days, I also learnt he will always guide us to where fun and natural splendor war. //// As for Sarah, she was in constant watch for us, helping me prevent and correct any mistake that could lead to trouble or unwanted exercion.
Miguel Fernando de Luis Espinosa
Sea Kayaking - The Summer Isles
Reviewed on 20/08/2017
I cannot praise Howard and Donald enough. Their patience, good humour, knowledge and teaching skills are exemplary. I felt privileged to have them as my guides.
Julia Jackson
Sea Kayaking - Outer Hebrides
Reviewed on 30/07/2017
Looked after superbly by Howard Jeffs as ever. Weather was not kind to us (severe gale force 9), but Howard kept us safe, and altered the planned trip to keep us safe, finding us shelter in a delightful bothy.
Peter Mussell
Sea Kayaking - Sound of Arisaig
Reviewed on 28/05/2017
Howard and Sarah were fantastic guides and full of enthusiasm. Ensured the safety of the group at all times and were able to give extra support the less experienced paddlers.
Laura Summersell
Sea Kayaking - Introduction Course
Reviewed on 02/10/2016
Both Howard and Malcom did a great job! Thank you both for those wonderful days on the Scottish sea!
I would have appreciated if there would have been more technical inputs from your side, maybe short group exercises or just spontaneous inputs.
Sara Maria Hildebrand
Sea Kayaking - The Summer Isles
Reviewed on 30/08/2016
Simply the best - patient, good humoured, knowledgeable, excellent chef, planned every day to perfection. I can't praise Howard and Malcolm enough.
Julia jackson
Sea Kayaking - The Summer Isles
Reviewed on 22/08/2016
Guides were helpful, informative and approachable. We always felt confident in their judgement, experience and knowledge, which was important in these remote islands. They created a good spirit of camaraderie among the group. They dealt with any problems quickly and efficiently and gave us the benefit of their extensive knowledge when asked. Could not fault either Howard or Malcolm.
Nick Marshall
Sea Kayaking - The Summer Isles
Reviewed on 22/08/2016
Howard and Will were great.A pleasure to spend time with them and learn from and about them both. Great company.
Alistair Grant
Sea Kayaking - Introduction Course
Reviewed on 07/08/2016
Both guides were very professional, clearly very skilled and knowledgeable. The guides could not have been better.
Colin Bradshaw
Sea Kayaking - The Summer Isles
Reviewed on 29/05/2016
I felt very secure to have Howard and Brian as our guides. I felt they were both experienced in kayaking.
Yvonne van Oossanen
Sea Kayaking - West Coast Explorer
Reviewed on 04/08/2015
Howard dean was incredible. Great stories, humour, energy, knowledge. He just made the trip a success. Even when the conditions were 'interesting' I had confidence in him that his decisions were right and as such was able to enjoy the experience and not panic. Brian was more quiet but still an excellent guide with great local
Knowledge.
David Oliver
Sea Kayaking - West Coast Explorer
Reviewed on 26/07/2015
Howard was an excellent guide and made the trip a success under less than ideal conditions. Erin did a great job as well. We felt that the trip was the level of difficulty described, but the cool and windy weather made it seem a bit more challenging because no one wanted to go for a swim. Initially, we were a little outside of our comfort zone, but our guides enabled us to become comfortable paddling in more challenging conditions. We enjoyed every day on the water, but the more challenging ones were our favorites. Howard was an excellent camp cook.
Patti Bleifuss
Sea Kayaking - Outer Hebrides
Reviewed on 29/06/2015
The guides did a wonderful job of working around the sea/weather conditions so we experienced everything from more challenging to easier paddles.
Ingrid van der Zande
Sea Kayaking - Outer Hebrides
Reviewed on 18/06/2015
Howard was an amazing and very knowledgeable guide – was able to work around problematic weather and paddling conditions so that we were still able to complete most of the trip. Both Andy and Howard worked tirelessly to provide the best service for the guests.
Ingrid van der Zande
Sea Kayaking - Sound of Arisaig
Reviewed on 18/06/2015
By the end of the trip every paddler knew how to use their skeg!
Howard and Erin found great paddles for the conditions and varied skill levels of the paddlers in the group.
Howard's love of the area was infectious. For paddling and for the historical interest.
Jim Flanagan
Sea Kayaking - Outer Hebrides
Reviewed on 17/06/2015
Howard and Erin were excellent. They were very good at finding paddling routes to suit the conditions and that gave a variety of experiences and landscapes. I especially appreciated all the effort Howard put into making our meals.
Caroline van der Zande
Sea Kayaking - Sound of Arisaig
Reviewed on 14/06/2015
Howard and Andy were great in dealing with the bad weather we had at the start of our trip to find the best places to paddle and camp given the conditions.
Caroline van der Zande
Sea Kayaking - Sound of Arisaig
Reviewed on 14/06/2015
Both Howard and Ali were clearly experienced and good at putting us at ease during the choppier waters- not many instances of that as the weather was amazing. They were both nice and fun to talk with and spend the evening with cooking and having a wee dram. They had just the right approach when it came to guiding to allow us to feel like we were all exploring together and that it was out holiday.
Matthew Dunn
Sea Kayaking - Outer Hebrides
Reviewed on 07/09/2014
The brilliance of the trip would not have been possible without Howard's experience and knowledge, and applying it to planning the days kayaking routes. And also Ali’s sharp eye for spotting eagles and dolphins. I don’t think we would have seen half of what we saw if not for them. The reason I travel with Wilderness Scotland is to be able to kayak in remote beautiful places (with my limited kayaking experience) and not worry too much about the weather or conditions suddenly changing, and with these two you can really feel safe.
Vanessa Santillan
Sea Kayaking - Outer Hebrides
Reviewed on 01/09/2014
We had two guides and they were both very good and worked well together. I thought two was particularly good and they both helped me when I needed it.
Robert Wheeler
Sea Kayaking - Skye, Raasay & Rona
Reviewed on 12/08/2014
Both guides were fantastic. I particularly appreciated Howard's flexible approach to our last night, enabling those who wanted to stay out on camp to do so, while those who wanted to return to the bunk house for their final night could, and Ali's time organising an evening kayak and evening walk
Glynis Davies
Sea Kayaking - West Coast Explorer
Reviewed on 04/08/2014
I expected the guides to be experienced kayakers, obviously, but I was amazed at how knowledgable, enthusiastic and organised Howard and Ali were. Can't overestimate the positive impact they had on the trip - they really pulled out all of the stops to make sure everyone in the group got the best experience possible. I had a wonderful time thanks to them.
Ben Dugdale
Sea Kayaking - West Coast Explorer
Reviewed on 29/07/2014
The guides chosen were a good combination, and having two guides ensured that we could easily split into two paddling speeds without feeling pressurised to keep together. It would have been nice to have had a few more short skills sessions interspersed between the paddling - I probably wouldn't have suggested that had we not had one on one of the days which made me realise how much I could learn technique wise from the guides!
Carol Cotterill
Sea Kayaking - West Coast Explorer
Reviewed on 28/07/2014
Your personable guides, Harold and Ali, were up there among the best I have come across in ten years of kayaking. Their kayaking expertise, skills fine tuning, if required, and communication abilities were excellent. In Aberdeen, citizens are fortunate to have access to outdoor experiences partially funded by 'Common Good Fund' founded by King Robert the Bruce. So I have taken these day trips with various leaders fairly often over the years.
Carole Morris
Sea Kayaking - West Coast Explorer
Reviewed on 27/07/2014
The guides were great and always really helpful and informative.They worked really hard to make sure everything went smoothly from the activities right through to the food! They made me feel safe and confident on the water.Great company.
Gary Dick
Sea Kayaking - Introduction Course
Reviewed on 25/07/2014
Perfect mix of challenge and support for me. Felt I learned lots and gained a lot of confidence in the water. Found it hard to get out of the kayak for the last time on the trip.
Isobel Tennant
Sea Kayaking - Introduction Course
Reviewed on 19/07/2014
Howard was great, of course having vast experience, but I appreciated him letting us have "space" on the water.
He was fully attentive 100% of the time to our every need, midge nets included.
He is fabulous company and facilitated a great week.
Highly recommended and grateful.
jeremy raphael
Sea Kayaking - Scottish Sea Kayak Trail North - Gaelic Coast
Reviewed on 08/06/2014
Both Howard and Luke were great guides; very informative and looked after us all very well; I was most impressed with Luke being the assistant guide and he made certain nobody was left behind ; he will make a super leader in a few years time .
Helen Gillies
Sea Kayaking - The Atlantic Coast
Reviewed on 04/06/2014
It would be hard to beat Howard and Luke. Highly professional, they provided first-class guiding and tips at all times. I feel I made a lot of progress with my kayaking during the week thanks to them.
Ian Burley
Sea Kayaking - The Atlantic Coast
Reviewed on 02/06/2014
Howard is an excellent instructor with a good sense of humour. Learnt tons from him in just the first few hours, he's really first class.
Luke too was first class, such a knowledgeable head on young shoulders, a charming young man with a cracking sense of humour. Any friend of Jose's is a friend of mine !
Both instructors were fun to be with and very good at their jobs.
Barbara Florence
Sea Kayaking - The Atlantic Coast
Reviewed on 01/06/2014
Guides great. Howard is a paddling and wildlife encyclopaedia with loads of knowledge. Luke is a mini paddling and seaweed encyclopaedia and very helpfull - the only down side being we couldn't take him home with us. These guys were great company all trip, and certainly made the week. We saw so much wildlife because of them, and I now have so much more confidence on the water.
Kate Tod
Sea Kayaking - The Atlantic Coast
Reviewed on 01/06/2014
Group dynamics worked really well on this trip, and given the intermediate level of the kayakers I think that Corry and Howard probably had a slightly easier time of it than with other groups but they seemed to work well together and tuned activities well to the level the group could achieve without anyone feeling they couldn't keep up.
Jerry Webb
Sea Kayaking - The Atlantic Coast
Reviewed on 21/10/2013
Howard and Corey were great. They offered many helpful tips throughout the trip. We learned a lot of techniques to improve our paddling skills. A big plus. There are only two things that could make this trip better. On a few occasions we had some problems getting ourselves and/or our kayaks back to shore because the tide was so low. Better timing with respect to tides (if that is possible) would have made things a lot easier for everyone. Also, the paddle on the last day was a bit scary. The wind became really strong after we started out and the water was really rough. We are quite experienced at paddling, but we weren't comfortable with that particular outing. If someone had capsized, we could have ended up with several people struggling in cold turbulent waters. (I have seen situations elsewhere where one person capsized and two others fell in the water because they had stopped paddling for mere seconds to see what the commotion was all about.) Some others mentioned their discomfort to the main guide as well, who reacted very professionally and led us back safely using extreme caution.
Gabriel Bourgeois
Sea Kayaking - The Atlantic Coast
Reviewed on 25/09/2013
Howard and Cory made the trip - got the group together in no time and they squeezed every drop of enjoyment out of the days for us - helpful instruction, wealth of local knowledge, passion for and vast experience of all things outdoor, a reassuring and alert presence on the water, and, most of all, great company.
Karen Bennett
Sea Kayaking - The Atlantic Coast
Reviewed on 18/09/2013
trusted them implicitly. Out me at ease from the start. No touchy feeling team nonsense - just lead a proper team into the water and back. Their knowledge excellent. They complimented each other too. After hours they were good company.
Scott Moncur
Sea Kayaking - The Atlantic Coast
Reviewed on 15/09/2013
Howard was brilliant, knowledgeable, talented, a good teacher and a great entertainer to boot. I felt very lucky to be on a trip with him. Despite disappointing weather which made the published itinerary impossible to follow, I had a great time. I implicitly trusted his judgments / decisions and he very diplomatically involved us in them.
Cathy Jacobs
Sea Kayaking - Sound of Arisaig
Reviewed on 08/09/2013
Howard was faced with horrendous weather (4 days wind and rain) and still managed to coax great meals out of a billy can in the rain and wind. he often had to resort to a plan 'C' when weather had put paid to 'A' and 'B'. his local knowledge was essential. safety was paramount as well, but he was very patient and informative with those of us who maybe had less skill than the holiday really demanded
Rob Welborn
Sea Kayaking - Sound of Arisaig
Reviewed on 08/09/2013
In general guides were great! However, it would have been nice to get periodic updates through out the day on where we were going, sometimes I felt like I was blindly following.
Hannah Beane
Sea Kayaking - Sound of Arisaig
Reviewed on 16/06/2013