Walking Holidays Scotland

One of the greatest joys of travel is experiencing a country through the eyes of the people who call it home. The conversations you have and the connections you make with locals can turn a simple visit into many meaningful experiences.

From the very beginning, Wilderness has cherished our local connections, working with an incredible network of local businesses throughout Scotland. This means that on our hiking tours, you’ll get to see Scotland from a local’s perspective and enjoy an immersive adventure that allows you to form a more genuine connection with the landscape, communities and people you visit.

Our guides are not only highly qualified experts in Scotland’s breathtaking landscapes, but also possess a deep knowledge of its rich history, culture, and wildlife. With many years of experience, they bring enthusiasm and expertise to every walking tour. Whether uncovering tales of ancient battles, introducing you to local delicacies, or pointing out wildlife, their passion and knowledge enrich every step of your journey.

In addition to being genuine, affable, and charismatic, all our guides are highly qualified professionals who prioritise the safety and wellbeing of every traveller. Their outdoor expertise, combined with their ability to bring the stories of Scotland to life, mean every trip is full of camaraderie, interest and good humour.

Scotland’s rich tapestry of history and culture is made vivid through the captivating storytelling and local knowledge of our guides. Whether recounting the sagas of ancient clans or sharing myths of mystical creatures that haunt both loch and glen, our guides enhance your understanding and connection to Scotland in a highly enjoyable and relaxing way.

Our guides are experts at reacting to and adapting plans where it may be advantageous for the group to do so. For example, should the weather change or an exciting opportunity present itself, they can easily adjust the day’s plan to ensure your experience remains seamless and enjoyable. This flexibility ensures that every day on your walking holiday is maximised for adventure, allowing for spontaneity without compromising on the quality of the experience.

Our guides are outdoor experts and your Scottish hosts. Their goal is to ensure you get the absolute most out of your experience with us, which means ensuring you feel informed, relaxed, and happy for the duration of your adventure. From handling meal arrangements to managing transport and accommodation, every logistical detail is carefully coordinated so you can relax fully. Their thoughtful approach ensures that every element of your holiday runs smoothly, allowing you to focus entirely on enjoying your trip.

With a professional guide at the helm, you have the time, space and opportunity to immerse yourself fully in any one of our guided walking trips. From route planning to ensuring safety and comfort, your guide takes the stress out of decision-making. They know the best routes, the best wet-weather alternatives, the most beautiful viewpoints, the cosiest cafes, the perfect place for hand-spun socks and whether they serve porridge and heather honey at breakfast. Whether you’re seeking a relaxed ramble, an invigorating challenge, or a balance of both, our guides provide peace of mind, allowing you to enjoy your time in Scotland as much as possible.

Our itineraries are designed with flexibility in mind, allowing us to cater to special interests and passions. Whether you’re an avid photographer wanting to capture Scotland’s landscapes or a history enthusiast keen on delving deeper into the past, we can adjust the schedule to accommodate your specific goals. This flexibility ensures that no two walking holidays are the same and that your experience aligns perfectly with your interests.

One of the defining features of our walking tours is the small group size, which enhances every aspect of the journey. Small groups mean greater flexibility and the camaraderie that forms often leads to a more rewarding experience, fostering connections with fellow travellers.

With fewer participants, our guides can dedicate more time to each person, ensuring that everyone feels supported and able to engage deeply with the landscapes and stories shared along the way.

From a safety perspective, small groups allow guides to easily monitor conditions and swiftly respond to any changes or needs. There’s also a lower environmental impact, as small groups tread more lightly on fragile ecosystems. Transfers and logistics become smoother too, allowing for seamless transitions between locations.

Scotland’s wildlife creates a consistent poetry that winds its way from coast to heath to hillside and is to be both treasured and protected. On the coast, above the crested waves, white-tailed eagles soar, known in Gaelic as iolaire sùil na grèineas – the eagle with the sunlit eye. Beneath the sea’s choppy, salty surface, grey seals glide through kelp forests, their eerie singing the source of much Scottish mythology.

Further inland, stags and hinds graze on moorland and mountainside, and the high piping call of a meadow bounces across the heather. Which hiking tour you choose and at what time of year you choose to travel will affect what animals and birds you are likely to see.

The Cairngorms National Park is an important place for wildlife and provides valuable habitat for roe deer, ptarmigan, pine martens, capercaillie and red squirrels. For those venturing to the Isle of Skye, the summer months bring the chance to spot golden eagles soaring above the Cuillin Hills, while seals can often be seen basking on the rocky shores near Dunvegan.

In the Outer Hebrides, autumn is a prime time to witness the migratory grey geese arriving, their raucous calls filling the skies over North Uist. Assynt, in the northwest, is home to red deer year-round, but in October, the hills echo with the sounds of rutting stags. The coastal cliffs of mainland Scotland host large colonies of seabirds such as guillemots, razorbills, and kittiwakes.

In spring, lucky hikers may even spot the elusive otter along riverbanks, such as those in Wester Ross, as they hunt for fish at dawn and dusk.