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Selected Trips

    Liam Allan

    Liam Allan

    Relaxed | Curious | Adventurous

    Mini Bio

    I grew up in Glasgow but always had a feeling there was not enough mud to jump into in the city. I moved to the Highlands six years ago to study an adventure tourism degree and completely fell in love with life here in the mountains.

    I now spend my summers working and playing in Scotland. I have discovered that sharing the locations that I have found over the years with other people is as fun as the initial exploring. I like to leave my winters as free as possible to explore our vast and varied planet. 

    Favourite Place to Play

    I love the whole of the northwest coast but the Isle of Rum holds a special place in my heart. Wild and remote, without a trace of concrete, it is easy to forget that civilisation exists when you are exploring the mountains and coastline of this stunning Highland paradise.

    Not a lot of People Know This

    I plan to one day follow in the footsteps of my great-great grandad Heinrich Oehlers, who was a tiger tamer in the Singapore state circus and use my juggling skills to run away and join a circus. 

    Qualifications Read More
    • Summer mountain leader
    • MBL level 2
    • BCA paddle sorts level 2
    Experience Read More

    I have explored much of the Highland on foot and by bike but still, have a lot more to see. I love scrambling on the jagged alpine ridges of the West coast or getting remote on my bike. Having backpacked through much of South America I been lucky enough to experience many different parts of the Andeas.

    Biggest Adventure Read More

    The biggest thing I have ever done is summiting a 6000-meter peak in Peru. But 3 months in the vastness of Patagonia was also pretty big, those roads really go on forever. Riding powder through Japanese forests is also up there in my top adventures.

    What Fellow Travellers Say About Liam

    It was great getting to know Liam. He is a great story teller and his knowledge of Scottish history, plants and animals is impressive. We enjoyed his specially curated playlist of Scotland related music. Our hikes were adjusted to accommodate our group, but he always offered additional hikes if wanted.

    Lori Sawyer
    Luxury Walking - Highlights of the Highlands
    Reviewed on 30/09/2024

    Great trail guide. Very organized. Fun to be with.

    Jonathan Holtzman
    Luxury Walking - Highlights of the Highlands
    Reviewed on 14/09/2024

    Liam is extremely patient and supportive, but also so much fun to travel with!! We loved you musical taste! The hikes were magnificent.

    Jill Armbrust
    Luxury Walking - Highlights of the Highlands
    Reviewed on 07/09/2024

    Our guide was really polite, attentive, and considerate. We had lots of fun listening to his stories, and we even ended up learning about Scotland’s plants and wildlife!

    Lorena Ander de Oliveira Elias
    Luxury Walking - The Isle of Skye
    Reviewed on 29/07/2024

    Liam was incredible. So calm, so kind...I had an unexpected health issue that limited me in a way I hadn't predicted. Liam was great about helping me make some modifications to my hikes while not compromising the experience of the others. His knowledge of the area and the mythology behind the geology was fascinating and such a great addition to the trip. I looked forward to his "story times" every day.

    Victoria Young-Chiverton
    Wilderness Walking - Outer Hebrides & Skye
    Reviewed on 22/10/2023

    Liam was great!

    Cindy Stragier
    Wilderness Walking - Outer Hebrides & Skye
    Reviewed on 17/10/2023

    Liam really knew the area and is passionate about his work and Scotland

    Margaret Young
    Wilderness Walking - Outer Hebrides & Skye
    Reviewed on 16/10/2023

    Liam was really excellent on a couple levels. I went on this trip with my mother and my aunt ( who has stage 4 cancer)

    He was extraordinary kind to my aunt. When we had originally booked she had been doing much better but had a down turn right around when we left. Liam was cognizant of this fact supportive and created an environment she could enjoy this trip without allowing her underlying concerns overshadow the absolute awe and joy she felt on this trip. She will not likely be able to do another trip like this, I am so thankful she was able to experience this trip as it was. Our guid was intergral to that.

    My mother has lots of questions and thoughts about Scotland as a whole and Liam was incredibly thoughtful and willing to have those conversations. There was a baker who she is a huge fan of signing books at the distillary and he went out of his why to make sure she ( and others) were able to go to the signing. This seemed so above and beyond to me!

    I was constantly surprised at how knowledgable and enthusiastic he was for Scottish geology, flora, and fauna. He was able to discuss lands scapes in terms of ongoing evolution that is impacted both by people and underlying geography/climate. I did not expect this level of passion ( maybe thats on me?) Or interest. I felt like i learned so much and was constantly engaged and enjoying these discussions that also veered into the mythology of the area. I was also surprised at his willingness to answer " and what mushroom is this?" On near constant repeat.

    Overall I am extremely thankful for the kindness, consideration, and the utmost interest in the situation at hand.

    Jacqueline Burtonboy
    Wilderness Walking - Outer Hebrides & Skye
    Reviewed on 16/10/2023

    Liam was a great guide and a lovely person to spend time with. He was very knowledgeable and informative about the area and was very encouraging when I was nervous about my footing on rough terrain.

    Robin Werner
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 03/10/2023

    Liam was very good Every walk was different from the previous. Particularly enjoyed his folklore stories

    Fenella Howard
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 26/09/2023

    See the comments about the trip. Liam, our guide, "made" the trip, the experience, and the bonding within our group truly magical, memorable, and exceptional.

    John Pritchard
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 26/09/2023

    Liam is fantastic. He's very well informed and positive! He did a great job accommodating our group's specific abilities and desires for each day.

    Kevin Werner
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 26/09/2023

    Everybody loved Liam. He was so knowledgeable about the area, the flora and fauna, he entertained us with his stories, kept us safe, was able to adapt the walks to fit the weather, asked the group for their suggestions, always listened to us. We could not have asked for a better guide than Liam.

    Jean Wilson
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 20/09/2023

    Liam was a brilliant guide. He had great tales to tell which everyone enjoyed. He was very confidence giving on the walks.

    Rona Wald
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 19/09/2023

    Liam was a calm informative guide, he had a relaxed way with all guests and was a great folklore storyteller. We all felt safe in his hands. He would always encourage from behind so no one felt left behind if they were slower. He was a pleasure to have both by day and in the evenings.

    Carolyn Elder
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 19/09/2023

    I have mentioned Liam already - an excellent guide. Really enjoyed his folklore stories and knowledge of the area. Also he was great at helping the group find a good pace on walks together.

    Camilla Marriott
    Wilderness Walking - The Knoydart Peninsula
    Reviewed on 19/09/2023

    Liam and Triston were the best guides anyone could ever have!!! Very patient, and understanding of all fitness levels to ensure that everyone had a great experience. Liam's knowledge of the plant/nature and Triston's knowledge of the history made for a interesting hike each and every day. Their sense of humor and their big hearts made it hard to say goodbye to them!

    Jill Hart
    Wilderness Walking - The West Highland Way
    Reviewed on 12/08/2023

    Liam and Tristan provided us with much information about local history, flora and fauna. They both answered our questions, and if they didn't have an answer, they would find the answer. They are very kind people, and spending time with them was a pleasure.

    Polly Sandhu
    Wilderness Walking - The West Highland Way
    Reviewed on 01/08/2023

    Tristan and Liam - thank you, great job!

    Horst Geiblinger
    Wilderness Walking - The West Highland Way
    Reviewed on 28/07/2023

    Very good job, personal attention. Tried to accommodate individual or extra wishes. Well organized while very relaxed.

    Martina Richards
    Wilderness Walking - The Orkney Islands
    Reviewed on 27/07/2023

    Thanks to terrific guides (Liam and Tristan)

    Antonia Licka
    Wilderness Walking - The West Highland Way
    Reviewed on 22/07/2023

    Our guides (Liam and Tristan) were by far the best aspect of doing this Wilderness tour, hands down. They are both organized, thoughtful, patient, and compassionate individuals who know so much about the Way and Scotland in general (including Scottish history, mythology, botany, mycology, ecology, current events, etc. to name a few). Their personalities and leadership styles compliment each other very well. They knew exactly when to motivate, distract, tell stories, ask questions, joke around, or simply bask in silence based on the vibes of the group. They each made an effort to check in with me at least once a day (even in a big group). Our group had extreme variations in hiking paces, and they quickly figured out a system/plan where no group member felt held back/left behind based on my conversations with fellow group members. For example, they came up with additional detours for the fastest hikers on the final day so that we could still all walk across the WHW finish line together. They handled any issues that cropped up at hotels/restaurants with ease, care, and grace. I feel very lucky and grateful to have had two incredible human beings as guides. They helped me cultivate a newfound sense of adventure, curiosity, and love for long distance hiking. Wilderness’s evidently high calibre of guides (based on Liam and Tristan’s competence and kindness) is the main reasons why I would strongly consider another Wilderness tour.

    Madison Adams
    Wilderness Walking - The West Highland Way
    Reviewed on 21/07/2023

    Liam and Tristan are wonderful. You are fortunate to have such competent individuals. They were so helpful and encouraging.

    Debora Fiore
    Wilderness Walking - The West Highland Way
    Reviewed on 20/07/2023

    Liam and Tristan were perfect

    Rachel Aldridge
    Wilderness Walking - The West Highland Way
    Reviewed on 20/07/2023

    Liam and Tristan went above and beyond to make this a very special experience. Hard to find the words to use to explain how outstanding they both were.

    Michael Fiore
    Wilderness Walking - The West Highland Way
    Reviewed on 20/07/2023

    Liam was friendly and informative. And enabling us to see a perfect sunset at the Ring Brodgar was an unexpected bonus!

    Andrew Paul Cowley
    Wilderness Walking - The Orkney Islands
    Reviewed on 28/06/2023

    Liam was very friendly , knowledgeable , managed the group and program well and went out of his way to accomodate individual requests and ensured that everyone was having the best experience possible .

    Mary McClean
    Wilderness Walking - The Orkney Islands
    Reviewed on 28/06/2023

    Liam was thoughtful, paced us well and clear in instructions to all as to when to meet so there were no delays waiting for people

    Joan Supkay
    Wilderness Walking - Outer Hebrides & Skye
    Reviewed on 05/09/2022

    Liam did a wonderful job. He was laidback, good-humored, and really good at managing everyone's needs.

    Donna Lisker
    Wilderness Walking - Outer Hebrides & Skye
    Reviewed on 30/08/2022

    Liam was wonderful. He knew so much about trees, plants, history and folklore that hiking was always a great learning experience. He deftly juggled some of the varying hiking interests in our group and adapted to what the group wanted to do. And he worked with the weather goddesses to make sure we had great hiking weather: not too much sun, virtually no rain, just those darn midges and ticks!

    Mary Mountcastle
    22WSPD Private Departure
    Reviewed on 30/08/2022

    Liam was all good: interesting stories, botanical lessons all along the way, a hand-picked Scottish playlist for the van, Scottish legends and folklore and expert attention to all. A+

    Gerret Warner
    22WSPD Private Departure
    Reviewed on 29/08/2022

    Liam was a great guide. He knew all about the flora and fauna of Glencoe and the Highlands. He was great at telling us folk stories and "fairy tales." His playlist in the van was fantastic. He had a great mixture of music from all over but I especially enjoyed the Scottish music. He's so enthusiastic about the areaf and loves to talk about it. We all really enjoyed him.

    Betty Craven
    22WSPD Private Departure
    Reviewed on 28/08/2022

    We think our guide, Liam Allan, is a special person. Importantly he saw us as individuals, not a group to be herded this way and that. He was always looking ahead to see if anything needed to be changed or adjusted to meet the various needs, abilities and skills of the group members. He took seriously his responsibilities directing the trip smoothly from day to day. He made a real effort to get to know each of us and to share some of his encyclopedic knowledge of Scotland, her history and people. When weather allowed we were feted with stories from folklore and legends at breaks and lunch.

    Mimi Gredy
    22WSPD Private Departure
    Reviewed on 25/08/2022

    Liam was wonderful. Kind, funny, knowledgeable and a joy to be with.

    Carol Teal
    22WSPD Private Departure
    Reviewed on 22/08/2022

    Excellent doesn’t rate Liam high enough. Knowledgeable, cared about our safety, funny. Great photos. A lovely young man.

    Howard Cohen
    Wildlife Adventures - The Shetland Isles
    Reviewed on 19/07/2022

    Liam was an excellent guide and took us to some really lovely places with much to see.

    Hugh Pringle
    Wildlife Adventures - The Shetland Isles
    Reviewed on 18/07/2022

    Our trip was guided by Liam. He was excellent and feel we all ended the trip as friends. Nothing was too much trouble for him and he had strong empathy with the group

    Neil Johnson
    Wildlife Adventures - The Shetland Isles
    Reviewed on 18/07/2022

    Liam was an excellent guide. He was well organised so that each day ran smoothly and could be flexible to deal with changing circumstances (such as boat trips being cancelled owing to high winds) to ensure we could still enjoy good alternative activities. His good humour and interest in people, history and wildlife made him a great member of the group and quickly helped us all relax into easy companionship across the week. Small details, such as his provision of Scottish and Shetland strawberries at the start and end of walks were greatly appreciated!

    Jane Bentley
    Wildlife Adventures - The Shetland Isles
    Reviewed on 18/07/2022

    Liam was amazing!

    He was an excellent guide and knowledgable. If he didn't know an answer to a question, he would research the answer and would come back to us. He looked carefully at the weather so for all our walks we didn't really get wet. One day was windy but we avoided that the next day as Liam carefully chose a more sheltered walk.

    He had lovely snacks in the back of the van as well as walking sticks/hats etc. He went out of his way to to support us or get anything we needed. He drove the van carefully.

    But most of all he was calm, fun, patient and great to be with. He lead the group sensitively and by the end of the week we had all bonded together. It was his leadership that helped that.

    Thank you Liam, you really made the holiday that bit special and as I write answers, Neil is already looking at something for next year!

    Alison Johnson
    Wildlife Adventures - The Shetland Isles
    Reviewed on 18/07/2022

    Liam was really knowledgable about all aspects of the trip from the geology to the history to the culture of all that we saw

    David Newman
    19WSTM Tailor Made trips
    Reviewed on 19/10/2019

    Our guide was very personable and friendly. He filled us in on much of the history and background. He managed the group very well.

    Maria Westropp
    Wilderness Walking - Isle of Skye
    Reviewed on 11/09/2017

    Our guide was Liam. He was excellent. He was friendly and helpful and knowledgeable about the history on our walks. He drove the van carefully and made sure everyone was properly equipped. He was mature beyond his years, with a clear enthusiasm for his work.

    Ros Krasny
    Wilderness Walking - Isle of Skye
    Reviewed on 05/09/2017

    Liam was a terrific guide. He was very knowledgeable, very committed and friendly. He kept the group on track and moving smoothly from one point to the next. He was very reassuring during slick weather conditions in higher elevations. And he was great in running forward to get the van when we walkers were tired and drinking tea.

    Toni Clarke
    Wilderness Walking - Isle of Skye
    Reviewed on 05/09/2017

    Liam Allan, so sweet and mature beyond his years. Careing and smart. A real gem.

    Paeivi Elisabeth Oikarinen
    Wilderness Walking - The West Highland Way
    Reviewed on 04/09/2017

    Liam Allan (sp?) was our guide and I thought he was outstanding. He was incredibly knowledgeable about Scottish history, geography and folklore. We loved his stories. I can't say enough about how impressed I was. He was also very patient and easy going. i can't imagine how much we would have missed on a self guided tour.

    Suzanne Rutherford
    Wilderness Walking - The West Highland Way
    Reviewed on 30/08/2017

    Liam was great, always happy and patient with all of us. Very knowledgeable and had great stories.

    Nancy Kramer
    Wilderness Walking - The West Highland Way
    Reviewed on 24/08/2017

    Our guide was sensitive and thoughtful - a lover of his country.

    Anna Sande
    Wilderness Walking - The West Highland Way
    Reviewed on 30/08/2016

    Liam was clearly aware of all of us all the time, but he presented as casual about things such as stopping places, being at the head of the line, rate etc.

    Jill Geisler
    Wilderness Walking - The West Highland Way
    Reviewed on 04/08/2016

    Liam the best in all ways. Went the extra mile

    Wendy Bingham
    Wilderness Walking - The West Highland Way
    Reviewed on 31/07/2016

    very relaxed. kept us updated about potential safety issues or difficult sections of the hike

    Dan Kleemola
    Wilderness Walking - The West Highland Way
    Reviewed on 29/07/2016

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