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      Scotty McNeish

      Scotty McNeish

      Easy-going | Mischievous | Patient

      Mini Bio

      I work within the operations team at Wilderness Scotland and am incredibly lucky to be able to be part of the guiding team too.  After a nomadic childhood growing up in Austria, Hong Kong, Norway, and Canada I caught the bug for adventure travel and have spent a lifetime skiing, climbing and canoeing and have been lucky enough to join trips all over the world.  Following a career in the Royal Air Force I settled in the Highlands and love the wildness of a winter’s day out in the Cairngorms. To me, Scotland is the world ‘distilled’ into one great mini adventure playground and offers so much I just need to keep exploring it.

      Favourite Place to Play

      I absolutely love climbing and skiing in the Cairngorms in winter and camping on the west coast beaches in summer.

      Not a lot of People Know This

      I’m definitely not royalty but I cracked a joke with the late Duke of Edinburgh, had lunch with Princess Ann and Prince Harry used to bring us cakes!

      “To me Scotland is the world ‘distilled’ into one great mini adventure playground and offers so much I just need to keep exploring it and love taking others with me.”
      Expand All
      Qualifications Read More
      • Advanced Open Canoe Leader
      • Advanced Kayak Leader
      • International Alpine & Telemark Ski Instructor
      • Trail & Mountain Bike Leader
      • BA (Hons) Outdoor Leadership
      • Summer & Winter Mountaineering Instructor Certificate
      Experience Read More

      I began teaching sailing at the early age of 16 and ever since outdoor delivery has always played a pivotal part in my career and lifestyle. I have a relaxed and friendly character and enjoy sharing knowledge whilst also listening and learning from others.

      The bedrock of my experience has been built in the Scottish Highland & Islands which is the best training and preparation ground for adventures anywhere. I have canoe journeyed extensively across Scotland linking lochs, rivers and glens.

      I have been lucky to have the opportunity to lead expeditions worldwide including the Himalayas, Greenland, Canada, Scandinavia and many alpine regions. An expert skier and active winter climber I love the team comradery and challenge of being in the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team and being able to support those in need.

      Biggest Adventure Read More

      Probably exploring the Kangerlussuaq region in Eastern Greenland. We were dropped by ski plane onto a glacier somewhere and spent the next four weeks exploring crossing glaciers and summiting unclimbed peaks. It was an unusually warm summer and crevasses were man eaters.

      Typically the weather turned for the worse when we were due to be picked up so ended up being marooned on the ice cap with dwindling food supplies dreaming of roast dinners and apple pudding!

      Specialist Subject Read More

      As a mature student I studied a Bachelor Arts (Hons) Outdoor Leadership but would be fearful of ever being called academic. I would consider my specialist subject to be skiing fast and rock n roll bands of the 90s.

      What Fellow Travellers Say About Scotty

      Cannot say enough about Scott. He really led us on the trip, getting to know each of us, and letting that knowledge help him create options/plans that really met our families hopes/needs. A great story teller, we will always remember his retelling of key moments in Scottish history. Always fully prepared--even when weather resulted in a ferry cancellation, he promptly redesigned our day with fantastic plans we never could have assembled on our own. Scott is a great communicator and seemed always comfortable connecting with the adults and the kids. He was such a central part our trip that it would seem strange to come back to the Highlands some day and NOT have him with us--part of the family!

      James Boswell
      24WSTM Tailor Made
      Reviewed on 06/07/2024

      We can't thank Scott enough. He is just a great human who genuinely cares about people. It was a gift to see Scotland through his eyes. He showed interest in getting the kids involved and excited. He noticed their interests and tried to make that part of the experience - inviting them to draw on the van when he saw their interest in art. He taught us to be better hikers, canoers and kayakers so that we could continue to build on skills even after our trip was over. And he was so funny. It felt like he had been part of our for years, not just one week.

      Liza Perpuse
      24WSTM Tailor Made
      Reviewed on 29/06/2024

      Scotty was great.
      Hiking - could have been more scenic, with some elevation gain. Initial hike in was on a logging road.
      Biking - I thought the route was great, but one of our members had a bad time because bike was too big for her.
      Canoeing - nice day on the river and loch.

      Dirk Havlak
      24WSPD Private Departures
      Reviewed on 16/05/2024

      Scotty was amazing with our two guys and Ian was terrific with our whole gang of 8. From beginning to end they took great care of us while giving us an experience of a lifetime. A true and complete Scottish Adventure!

      Michael Stappler
      23WSTM Tailor Made Trips
      Reviewed on 28/06/2023

      David was excellent and accommodating.

      Peter Connelly
      23WSTM Tailor Made Trips
      Reviewed on 30/04/2023

      Our guides Vic and Scott were as described: curious, calm, creative and easy-going, mischievous, patient (respectively). They managed to keep us on schedule without any aspect feeling like a rush. The food they produced and cooked was excellent and their decision making was spot on. They took me out of my comfort zone and brought me back again.

      Ros Davies
      Open Canoeing - Great Glen Canoe Trail
      Reviewed on 23/09/2022

      Our guides Vic and Scott were as described: curious, calm, creative and easy-going, mischievous, patient (respectively). They managed to keep us on schedule without any aspect feeling like a rush. The food they produced and cooked was excellent and their decision making was spot on. They took me out of my comfort zone and brought me back again.

      Ros Davies
      Open Canoeing - Great Glen Canoe Trail
      Reviewed on 23/09/2022

      Both our leaders, Vic and Scot so professional always weather aware ( essential). Adapting to circumstances as they changed , as they do in Scotland. Gave us confidence. Alwaus cheerful and encouraging. Gave help when needed . As I did at times being a novice camper and paddler. I can't think of anyrhing more they could have done more

      Ethel Hickton
      Open Canoeing - Great Glen Canoe Trail
      Reviewed on 21/09/2022

      Really valued Vic and Scott's guiding, and help and support during the trip. Good to see safety was also really important to the company rather than blindly carrying on. They know the conditions best of all.

      Monique van Niel
      Open Canoeing - Great Glen Canoe Trail
      Reviewed on 21/09/2022

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