A day out with Highland Guiding is a private experience, shaped around your group. When you book, it is just you and your guide.
We plan every route around your fitness, your interests and the conditions on the day. And your guide does more than navigate, we bring the landscape to life, from the geology and wildlife to the history layered into every glen.
What's included
Qualifications
Expert Guide
Mountain Leader Qualified, Highly Experienced
Route planning
Planned Around You
Route and pace built around your group and conditions
Safety
Full Safety Cover
First aid kit, GPS beacon, group shelter
Flexibility
Flexible Itinerary
Adapted to your group on the day
Local knowledge
Expert Local Knowledge
Wildlife, flora, geology, history and culture
Our most popular hikes
A few examples of the kinds of days we guide. Every booking is tailored to your group, these are starting points, not fixed itineraries.
Rothiemurchus Forest and Loch an Eilean
Ancient Caledonian pinewood, a ruined island castle reflected in still water, and one of the finest wildlife walks in Scotland. Red squirrels, crested tits and the chance of the elusive capercaillie.
Area: Cairngorms National Park
Enquire about this hike 
Loch Coulin and Loch Clair
One of the most beautiful lower-level walks in the Highlands. The reflections of Liathach and Beinn Eighe in Loch Clair are among the most iconic views in Scotland, with the full drama of the Torridon mountains as a backdrop throughout.
Area: Torridon
Enquire about this hike 
The Old Man of Storr
One of Scotland's most iconic landmarks, extended into quieter sections of the Trotternish ridge. Famous views with far fewer people, and the full story of this extraordinary geological landscape.
Area: Isle of Skye
Enquire about this hike 
The Loch Affric Circuit
The classic Glen Affric day, a full circuit of Loch Affric through ancient pinewood and open moorland. The reflections on the loch on a calm morning are among the most photographed views in the Scottish Highlands.
Area: Glen Affric
Enquire about this hike 
The Quiraing
A landscape of tilted rock tables, hidden plateaux and sheer cliffs, the result of one of Britain's largest landslips. One of the finest walks on Skye, with geology your guide can read as you walk.
Area: Isle of Skye
Enquire about this hike 
Cairn Gorm and the Northern Corries
Climb to the summit of Cairn Gorm (1,245m) with spectacular views across the plateau and into the wild Northern Corries. Your guide brings the geology, wildlife and history of the mountain to life as you walk.
Area: Cairngorms National Park
Enquire about this hike Hikes are graded for physical challenge and terrain difficulty. View our full grading guide
Where we guide
Based in Aviemore, we guide across some of the finest walking country in Europe. Tap a pin or select an area to find out more.
Cairngorms National Park
The UK's largest national park, arctic plateau, ancient pines and extraordinary wildlife. Our home ground, and where most of our guiding begins.
Inverness 1 hr · Edinburgh 3 hr · Glasgow 3 hr
For people who want more than just a walk.
Our day hikes are ideal for:
Solo travellers
Exploring Scotland on your own is one of the best ways to experience it. A private guide means the day is entirely on your terms, with company and conversation if you want it, or peaceful miles if you don't.
Couples
A guided day in the mountains makes for an extraordinary day out. We can tailor the day to suit both of you, whether you're both experienced walkers or one of you is newer to the hills.
Small groups of friends
Up to 10 people, all moving together. Great for a group who share a love of the outdoors and want a memorable day with someone who knows the landscape well.
Older and returning walkers
The Scottish hills can be demanding, but they don't have to be. We know routes at every level and there's no pressure to push beyond what feels comfortable. The day moves at your pace.
Most of our day hikes suit people with a reasonable base level of fitness. You don't need to be an experienced hillwalker, but you should be comfortable walking for several hours with some ascent. We use a simple grading system to help match you to the right kind of day.
Simple, transparent pricing
Our rate covers your whole group, up to 10 people with one guide.
Core guiding area
Cairngorms, Glen Affric, Torridon, Glencoe, Perthshire
£280
per guide, per day
Covers your whole group, up to 10 people
Full day guiding, route planning and navigation
Safety equipment included
Non-core area, including Skye
Areas further afield
Single day
Includes guide travel and overnight
£350
per guide
Best value
2 days or more
£280
per guide, per day
Areas further afield reward more than one day. Two days gives significantly better value and a much deeper experience.
FAQs
We meet you at the trailhead — we don't provide minibus pickup or drop-off. Most of our clients have hire cars or their own vehicle. When you book we'll give you a specific meeting point with directions. If you're using public transport, let us know and we'll see what we can work with.
It depends on what kind of day you're after. We have routes suitable for people who are comfortable with a few hours of gentle walking, right up to full mountain days for experienced hillwalkers. Tell us your group's experience and fitness level when you enquire and we'll suggest the right kind of day.
Up to 10 per guide. If your group is larger, please get in touch, it may be possible to arrange additional guides.
Your own hill walking clothing and footwear, a packed lunch and plenty of water. We'll send you a full kit list when you book. Not sure what to wear? See our what to wear guide.
Half days are available but will be charged at the normal day rate.
We guide year-round. Spring and autumn often offer the best combination of light, colour and quieter hills. Summer brings long days and generally better weather. Winter guiding is conducted at low levels. We do not offer winter hillwalking or mountaineering requiring the use of crampons and ice axes.
Scotland's weather is famously unpredictable, and is very much part of the adventure. If it rains on the day of your hike, we generally expect to put on our waterproofs and go ahead as planned. If the weather dictates a change of plan, for example strong winds on high ground, an alternative route will be offered. In the event that conditions make it too risky to go out at all, you will be offered either a rescheduled date or a refund.
