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      Jim Sutherland

      Jim Sutherland

      Inquisitive | Patient | Imaginative

      Mini Bio

      Since 2003, I have had my own guiding business, as well as working in high schools teaching outdoor learning, maths, and computing science. I have guided clients all over the Scottish Highlands in winter and summer, as well as working overseas. This has included hillwalking, mountaineering, rock climbing, ice climbing, mountain biking, and bikepacking. I enjoy seeing my clients skills, confidence and plans grow for their own future trips.

      Before moving to the Cairngorms National Park in 2017, I was a key member of the Torridon Mountain Rescue Team and a national trainer for Scotland. I have worked with companies like the BBC and Jack Wolfskin to provide location services and mountain safety. My personal skills, motivation, flexibility, enthusiasm, attention to detail, writing, and photography skills have made me proud to be a guide.

      Favourite Place to Play

      I am lucky enough to live in one of the world’s biggest ‘sweetie shops’ – the Cairngorms National Park. I can leave my home and be at the edge of the forest and the mountains within an hour; this is one of my favourite places to play.

      Not a lot of People Know This

      When I was a student in Chicago, I led the McDonald’s Christmas parade dressed as one of Cinderella’s footmen. The parade was broadcast on national TV in the States.

      “My personal skills, motivation, flexibility, enthusiasm, attention to detail, writing, and photography skills have made me proud to be a guide.”
      Expand All
      Qualifications Read More
      • Mountain Bike Leader
      • Mountaineering Instructor Certificate (WMCI)
      Experience Read More
      • Hillwalking, rock climbing, mountaineering, and winter climbing throughout the Scottish Highlands for thirty years.
      • Ten or more summer or alpine trips to the Alps for mountaineering or ski touring.
      • My wife and I have also backpacked in over half a dozen of the wonderful national parks in the southwest of the United States.
      • For the last few years, I have spent more time mountain biking and bikepacking with an exploratory theme as well as classics such as the Torridon Loop, the Capital Trail, or the local trails of Strathspey.
      Biggest Adventure Read More

      Leaving Banff, Canada on my bike and heading south to Mexico!

      Specialist Subject Read More

      Inspiring myself and others to dream big.

      Publications Read More
      • Cicerone guidebook ‘Walking in Torridon’ – I helped edit the third edition.
      • Various magazine photographs and articles in publications such as ‘Wilderness Scotland’, SYHA magazine, The Scottish Mountaineer, and online.

      What Fellow Travellers Say About Jim

      Friendly, helpful, flexible, fun, informative

      David Hilbrands
      E-bike - The Outer Hebrides
      Reviewed on 28/07/2025

      Simply amazing. Cannot say enough good things about Jim and Dave.

      Leslie Johnson
      E-bike - The Outer Hebrides
      Reviewed on 17/07/2025

      Simply excellent. Couldn’t have been a better trip. Jim and Dave for the win!!

      Maya Srinivasan
      E-bike - The Outer Hebrides
      Reviewed on 09/07/2025

      Jim and Dave were the dynamic duo! This was their first time working together and they complemented each other perfectly. They were both so kind, full of knowledge, calm and engaging. We sang our praises to them but know you have steller employees.

      Sausha Polentz
      E-bike - The Outer Hebrides
      Reviewed on 07/07/2025

      Jim and Dave were very attentive, accommodating, resourceful, knowledgeable, humorous, good natured, happy, helpful... Really a wonderful match for our group!

      Cynthia Neuendorffer
      E-bike - The Outer Hebrides
      Reviewed on 01/07/2025

      Show More Reviews
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