About Me
Hello! I’m Richard and this page is all about me. In 2005 I started working as professional hill walking guide and never looked back. Based in Newtonmore in the Cairngorms National Park specialising in guiding individuals and small groups. I work for myself as well as freelancing for several bigger walking holiday tour operators. My career has seen me develop an excellent knowledge of the Scottish Hills and landscape. I am always continuing to learn new things to continue my professional development.
Mountains and the natural world have fascinated me since I was young. Annual camping and hill walking trips in Scotland got me hooked on the natural world. This lead me to study Physical Geography and Geology at University before deciding to work in the outdoors. I still love looking at wildlife, wild flowers and the rocks beneath my feet!
Qualifications
My personal adventures have taken me all over the British Isles as well as walking and climbing trips in Norway, the Alps, Pyrenees and Wyoming. I “compleated” my first round of Munros in 2007, the Munro tops in 2019 and the Corbetts in 2021. A second round of Munros followed in 2021 and a third in 2023. I have also lead youth development expeditions in Zambia, Botswana, Peru and India.
As an International Mountain Leader I am able to lead groups in different mountains all over the world, where the skills and equipment of alpinism are not required. IMLs can work with groups on high altitude treks as well as lead groups on snowshoes. Winter Mountain Leaders are qualified to guide all year round in the Scottish hills including use of an ice axe & crampons. Look at my Mountain Training profile for more information about these qualifications. I am also a full member of the British Association of International Mountain Leaders and the Mountain Training Association.
BAIML
British Association of International Mountain Leaders. National Association for IMLs in UK & Ireland
MTA
Mountain Training Association is the support and development branch of Mountain Training in UK & Ireland
You can find me on instagram to see what I’ve been up to recently. I’ve also got a blog with a mixture of articles, trip reports and photographs. If you have any questions or are looking for a walking guide please get in touch. When not working I’m often found exploring wild places amongst the mountains or watching the natural world go by!