Our story

We are a Scottish Adventure Walking Tour Company. We provide small group tours that give a personal experience of Scotland’s landscape and wildlife

My introduction to the Scottish Highlands started in the 1990s. It was while studying Recreation and Leisure at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh that some of my more adventurous peers would organise trips to the Highlands. This passion for the outdoors continued after graduating – I would take day trips and camping holidays at every opportunity. After 30 years I still have the same sense of adventure for exploring these wild and beautiful places. Every trip still gives a real sense of excitement and anticipation.

I have been a qualified mountain guide since 2009 Professionally I have worked within organisations such as Venture Trust and Venture Scotland. Each organisation provides personal development for disadvantaged young people using the outdoors. I have worked with Scottish Outdoor Education Centres. I have also worked with Moffat Mountain Rescue. Scotland has dedicated teams for each region. They are all charities and are run by volunteers.

I and my colleagues are all fully qualified to lead trips to mountainous areas in the summer months. The qualification is the Summer Mountain Leader Award. This is a fully recognised award within Mountaineering. It involves a minimum of completing fifty mountain days, a five day training programme and a five day assessment.

We founded Mountain Journey Scotland (MJS) because we wanted to share these wonderful places with more people. Many visitors to Scotland have drive holidays. While the scenery is fantastic by road many miss out by not getting deep into the wilderness or high on the mountains. We at MJS are here to change that and give you the support and confidence to get off the beaten track.

I have experience of walking hundreds of highland mountain routes. I have walked all of the routes that are advertised within our itineraries. They have all been chosen carefully to showcase some of the best each region offers. All of the routes can be completed in a full or half day. No rock climbing is involved (that is using a rope or harness), although there may be at times some scrambling which involves using your hands. They mostly follow recognised routes. Any adult of a reasonable level of fitness would be able to complete these walks. Please see our route grading for more information or contact us if you are unsure.

We are all team players. We follow all safe mountain walking guidelines. We look after every individual within the group. The guide / leader takes the responsibility to act in the best interests of everyone. They are there to make sure your walk is enjoyable and interesting. At the end of the day we want you to have a real sense of personal achievement and satisfaction.

All of us at Mountain Journey Scotland are sociable and approachable and put you first. We want you to have a fantastic time in Scotland and be left with a lifetime of happy memories.

Best regards,

Ewan Thomson