HOME
Roaming Scotland do private and small group excursions to see the less-explored wilds of Scotland with a focus on its ancient peoples and walking in their footsteps.
Roaming Scotland’s Distinctive
Our ‘Tour & Trek’ combines sightseeing with hiking in Scotland's wilds. We’ll pick you up, drive you to stunning scenery and hike for at least for 4 hours, away from road and crowds.
This isn’t sightseeing to tick off the sites, nor is our style to regurgitate loads of facts and information. Our aim is to provide a quality experience to connect with our landscapes and heritage.
Although many of our trips are ‘private’ outings, we also run ‘budget’ groups, joining usually 2 to 4 people, travelling in a spacious 9-seater minivan. Check out our ‘Booking’ page for an explanation of costs.
Best of the
Best award
Hiking in the Assynt Hills in NW Scotland
Leaving Knoydart the fast way.
Scotland’s west coast boasts beaches you would associate more with the tropics.
Tour & Walk Scotland Private Group Adventures
Bespoke ‘Trip & Trek’
Private Rates:
Single day = £330 for up to 8 people.
Multiple days = £370 per day for your group, OR £330/ day for 7 days or more. Exclusions: Accommodation, admissions and ferries. Accommodation is around £55-75pp/night when sharing (we will provide an exact quote once we assess your wishes).
Choose from one of our many ‘Tour & Walk’ options, or we can tailor-make together your own itinerary and requirements.
Take the worries out of driving on ‘the wrong side of the road’ and along really narrow tracks, or of getting lost. Meet & drop at your start and end points. Use the ‘Enquire’ button below to start your planning.
The ascent of a Munro in the Scottish Highlands.
Hiking with Roaming Scotland
two types of hiking:
‘Tour & Walk’ hikes is the easier category and is about being able and sure-footed, not super fit. Distances are generally between 2 - 8 kilometres (1 - 5 miles), mostly on paths, but fairly frequently across rough and boggy ground. When shorter walks are featured, we would aim to do 2 to 4 a day. Some hikes include hill hiking (but nothing technical or that high). Sometimes we can suggest an alternative to walking for those in your party who more want to amble, which can include visiting a museum, castle, distillery or a café.
‘Hill Hikes’ are obviously more challenging. These require a degree of ability, good balance and reasonable fitness. See ‘Hill Hikes’ tab.
In the Cairngorm Mountains
Martin with Spartikades Keristophanes
Your guide
I am Zak - your guide - and most folk recognise that I’m the star attraction of Roaming Scotland. I inspire vigour and lure for adventure, leading Martin and the group up hills, along solitary trails, sometimes without paths. Although my master is looking older these days, that white beard of his is misleading, for the old man still manages the hills at a decent pace. Many of Scotland’s best kept secrets have been discovered by his venturing up all 282 Scottish Munros, and his multiple coast to coast hikes. These are presented in manageable excursions for people of varying abilities.
Ancient hill forts, Celtic chapels and standing stones impress with their sense of mystery. Martin is willing to share, though wary not to bore, about Pictish warriors and Celtic saints who once peopled these ancient landscapes.
The Z-Rod Trilogy
A Celtic saga set in 6th century Scotland during the pivotal years when the Christian Gaels came from Ireland to the warrior peoples of the north.
For more insight, click this link
An Author
Martin is a published author, and of relevance in this fusion of interests, is the ‘Z-Rod’ trilogy, featured above.
Before Roaming Scotland, Martin and his wife, Alexandra, lived 14 years in the Middle East and in South East Asia. They have appreciated kind hosts on their travels, better understanding what it takes to make your visit memorable. Having run two guest house businesses in Scotland for 9 years, be assured of a genuine and warm welcome.
A stunning stone slab in Argyll, western Scotland
Gentler hills of the Eastern Highlands of Scotland
A Renewing Journey
True refreshment begins when we slow the pace to walking, becoming aware of the renewing experience of the wilds. Connecting with the stories from the past can trigger our own inner journeys.
As we walk the ancient ways, the mystery of Neolithic burial cairns and stone circles awaken a sense of wonder. Pictish symbol stones and Celtic engraved stone slabs arouse our admiration for their artistic accomplishments and leave us pondering.
It was to this mysterious, druidic world that the early Gaels came across the Irish Sea in flimsy leather boats. Our adventures seek to reconnect not only with the stunning beauty and solitude of the places they inhabited, but with their ancient world and soul search. See ‘Celtic Retreats’ if interested in exploring in depth the spirituality of the Celtic Christian tradition; or consider the Celtic Pilgrimage, combining a physical adventure with a spiritual aim.
Remains of an ancient chambered cairn in SW Scotland
A waterfall tumbling off the heights of Lochnagar, eastern Scottish Highlands
Hiking behind the Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye.
The South-East Highlands has scenery made especially fine by its deciduous woods and gentler contours.
The rugged ‘Cobbler’ - less than an hour from Glasgow.
The goose, Roaming Scotland’s adopted logo, on a Pictish incised stone slab.
Our Logo - The Goose
Wild geese are synonymous with the Scottish wilds as they passage along migration routes. Their defining cries, which encourage and direct one another, stir the soul restless for adventure. The wild goose is an enduring symbol from our ancient Celtic past, referencing the Holy Spirit. Robust and alert, adventurous and sharing in community, our goose logo expresses our intention of bringing these elements together; combining the pursuit of the far horizon with the journeying of kindred souls.
This goose image, with it’s simple symmetry, was incised on a standing stone by the Picts - our ancient forebears. Its pose of looking over its shoulder, was no doubt an admired attribute of being vigilant. After all, Rome was saved by geese raising the alarm of an advancing barbarian army. We, too, promise to be vigilant about your safety and enjoyment.
Winter drives the deer down to the edge of the snow in search of grazing
Steall waterfalls up Glen Nevis, nr Fort William, West Highlands
An Alternative Gift
Our voucher enables the purchase of an ‘experience’ with Roaming Scotland to give as a gift.
The giver nominates the value, which can either pay in full for one of our one-day trip and trek adventures, or can be used towards the value of an experience of the receiver’s choice. Send an enquiry about this voucher.
Supporting Livelihood in the Philippines.
Roaming Scotland gives ten percent of their profits to assist the Mangyan tribes of Mindoro Island, Philippines. Martin and his family lived with one of the tribes doing community development during the 1990s.
'Beyond Coral Shores' was written about the family's time with this tribe. These photos were taken from a trip in 2018 with my daughter Hannah and her husband Brian.
Hannah's Stateside business imports Mangyan handicrafts. You can view their workmanship at http://www.handatextiles.com
Other recommended quality products
For finely crafted sgian dubhs - the Kilt knife that tucks in at the top of a sock: https://sgiandubh.scot/
Here are some great jewellery designs of Pictish art: https://www.pmrjewellery.co.uk/
A hike along Skye’s coast towards the Cuillin Hills
Roaming Scotland Instagram
