Pre-Trip Service
The pre-trip customer service was excellent, and I always received a prompt response to my inquiries and helpful information.
Trip Comments
This was the trip of a lifetime. Of course the breathtaking Scottish landscape and scenery and the adventures had a lot to do with that, but the trip would have been nowhere near as special without the thoughtful planning by Wilderness Scotland and the care, attention and conscientiousness we received from our excellent guide, Don Pritchard. I can't say enough good things about him!
Accommodation & Food
The Fortingall Hotel was just lovely, with very comfortable and charming rooms, all under the supervision of the amazing manager Gabriel and his team. They were so kind, attentive and accommodating. The Kingshouse Hotel was also very nice, comfortable and extremely well located. We took one of our most amazing hikes right from the hotel's back door.
Your Guide
Don Pritchard was an absolutely outstanding guide. He was kind, funny, supportive, encouraging, and highly capable. We did several challenging hikes, and he taught me how to adjust my breathing, pacing and technique to make it to the summit. There were two occasions where I was close to giving up just a short distance from the summit, but Don's patience and encouragement made me carry on and I made it! I didn't want to let him down! He was very skillful at navigating the varying abilities and paces of the members of the group, so everyone felt comfortable. Having had a second career in horticulture after over two decades in the Royal Navy, he was also incredibly knowledgeable about the flora and fauna we saw on our walks, and the information he shared as we walked made the excursions so much more interesting. He was also highly knowledgeable about Scottish history, and his stories made the trip all the more meaningful. In short, Don is the BEST!
The Bottom Line
It is obvious that Wilderness Scotland have thought very hard about their itineraries and have planned for small details that make the trips extra special. There is no way I could have done several of our hikes without a guide, as they were "off the beaten path" and required specialized knowledge of the area and experience. WS really delivered by providing Don as our guide, and he really went the extra mile to accommodate us. It was a life-changing trip and I am so glad I did it. I hope to return for another WS adventure!
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