Adventure travel specialist is Scotland’s best

An Edinburgh-based travel firm offering adventure holidays in the remotest reaches of Scotland has been voted VisitScotland’s tourism business of the year.

Wilderness Scotland specialises in taking small groups of tourists to the most unspoiled corners of the Highlands of Scotland.

Trips include guided walks around Great Britain’s last wilderness, the Knoydart peninsula, and sailing to St Kilda, the remotest part of the British isles.

Sea kayaking on the west coast, canoeing down the river Spey and ski-mountaineering in the Cairngorms are among the other itineraries offered by the adventure travel specialist.

The company, which was founded five years ago, picked up the award for its excellent sales growth, innovative programme of adventure trips and commitment to responsible tourism.

Wilderness Scotland founder Paul Easto said: “Scotland is a superb destination and we believe that if you offer the right combination of beautiful locations and first-class customer care, tourism can make a sustainable contribution to the communities and environments in which we operate.

“We are now considered Scotland’s leading specialist adventure tour operator, and our focus in the year ahead will be to build our UK and overseas client base and the launch of a number of exciting initiatives, including wilderness journeys overseas.”

Below are just two examples of the itineraries offered by Wilderness Scotland:

Knoydart Peninsula
This four-day trip begins in Mallaig before boarding a boat for a short transfer to the tiny remote village of Inverie on the Knoydart Peninsula. Day two involves climbing 796 metres to the peak of Sgurr Coire Choinnichean, while on day three a boat trip to Loch Hourn is followed by an eight-hour hike back to Inverie either by crossing the Mam Barrisdale or via the summit of Ladhar Bheinn. A coastal walk back to Mallaig, which offers the chance to see otters and Minke Whales, rounds off the trip on the final day. Price: £349

Island odyssey including St Kilda
The trip sets sail from Mallaig or Oban taking in the Island of Cana before heading westwards to the Outer Hebrides on day three. A good day’s sailing sees the trip reach St Kilda in time for dinner in Village Bay on day four, followed by exploration of St Kilda on days five and six. The Monach islands – home to one of the largest populations of Atlantic grey seals – is the destination on day seven, while the final days take in the Isle of Skye and Loch Hourn before returning to Mallaig or Oban. Price: £895.00

For more information on the trips offered by Wilderness Scotland see: www.wildernesscotland.com