Pre-Trip Service
Roshni was fantastic. My trip to Scotland changed a couple of times. The first trip didn't have enough participants. Roshni assisted me through getting connected to another trip with similar features. When I chose to reschedule to later in the summer, Roshni once again helped get me set-up for the new dates. We communicated over email. She was responsive, answered my questions thoroughly and always encouraged me to reach-out for assistance as needed. The level of customer support exceeded my expectations.
Trip Comments
I have never felt so cared for on a trip! Once we met our guide (Emy is amazing!), I did not have to worry about a thing. I was able to relax and just enjoy myself. The care and thought Wilderness puts into creating their tours was evident in everything we did. From the lodge and the lovely people who created a welcoming, cozy space to return to each day to the gorgeous hikes and energizing wild swimming excursions - I felt like they truly thought of everything to create a positive and cherished experience.
Accommodation & Food
Ballintean is an incredible place. Amanda and her team have created a gorgeous, comfy space. Right away, we were made to feel at home and that someone was readily available if we needed anything. The Ballintean was a perfect place for the type of trip we were on. Beautiful setting and my room was lovely - a good size with comfortable beds and plenty of space to unpack our things. I appreciated having the lounge spaces to have somewhere other than my room to go. The food was incredible. I have never eaten so well on a trip. I really appreciate the packed lunches. It was simple and tasty and not the usual fare one gets in a sack lunch. It was nice to see they were ready to incorporate special diet needs or requests into the menu. Whatever someone needed, they took it in stride and accommodated. It was lovely getting to meet the everyone - Amanda, Wendy, Brian, Cheryl, Louise, and Gilly - it just made everything feel more personal.
Your Guide
Emy is an absolute star. I would tour with her any day. She was so welcoming and clearly wanted us to be comfortable and enjoy our experience. She was a great guide. She shared her appreciation for the area and the outdoors on our hikes yet was never overbearing and always ensured we had time for quiet and reflection. Emy was open, available for questions, and took time to get to know each of us. She also seemed to checked-in with everyone regularly yet was never intrusive. I knew if I needed anything, she'd handle it. Sophie was lovely. When my raincoat failed on the first day, she helped me find an alternate. She figured out the rating I'd need, helped me search through racks of coats to find one that would work, and even found a deal on midge nets. She too took time to connect with everyone and was always available if we needed anything. I want to be sure to recognize Alice and Fiona of SwimWild too. I know they are not WS guides, but the wild swimming was the primary reason I booked this trip, so I had high expectations for these excursions. As with everything else, the wild swimming experience exceeded my expectations. Alice and Fiona, like everyone else connected with WS, took a lot of care to make sure we had a fun, positive, and safe experience.
The Bottom Line
This trip exceeded my expectations. I had an incredible time. It's clear Wilderness Scotland takes a lot of care and thought when creating these trips. Our guide Emmy was a star, the lodge was lovely, meals were so tasty, and the hikes and wild swimming were so much fun! I cannot wait for my next Wilderness adventure.