Highland Outdoor Adventures
Highland Outdoor Adventures was founded by Jim Miller to share his love and passion for paddling and climbing in Scotland with you. Jim has spent ten years working in outdoor pursuits in Scotland and has the privilege of being certified in a huge range of disciplines.
At Highland Outdoor Adventures, the team have experience of delivering a huge range of outdoor activities to many clients. We have had the pleasure of seeing the thrill and enjoyment on the faces of thousands of people over the years who have been introduced to snow, water, rock and mountain sports, who have developed their abilities, and who have challenged themselves to attain their aims and desires in the outdoors. We have also been responsible for the training and assessment of hundreds of instructors right across the industry who have gone on to share our passion of providing enjoyment for all.
We make you the focus of our activities.
- We want you to have the best possible experience you can and will always strive for this.
- We want to share with you the physical and mental benefits of being in the outdoors.
- We can easily travel right across Scotland from our main base in the Cairngorms National Park, and bring the adventure to your doorstep.
- We cater for all ages, abilities, aspirations, diversities … and anything else you can throw at us!
- We provide activities on the water, rock and mountains in all weathers – sun, rain, snow and ice.
- We operate all year round and can provide activities every single day of the year to those who wish it!
- We offer everything from beginner sessions all the way through to training and assessing instructors in some of the most advanced certifications possible.
- if you fancy an introduction to climbing … awesome!
- If you fancy learning how to SUP off a waterfall safely … then that too is awesome!
- the activities are yours to choose!
All of our staff are fully trained, certified and current in what they deliver, holding relevant NGB safeguarding and first aid certification … and they have genuine interests in their fields of expertise.
Allow us to introduce you to our team below
We are a team because we value each other and love what we do!
Jim
Owner/Director, outdoor instructor, national trainer, provider, tutor, assessor – water, mountains, snow and rock.
I began my love for the outdoors nearly 30 years ago when being taken up mountains, onto rivers and to the sea as a child. I would regularly run ahead into the mountains, sit on a rock and admire the views.
I took a B.A Hons in Archeology at Reading University. During my time there, I found a true passion for climbing. I had previously dabbled with many other sports, but it was with climbing I found my calling. You will often see me out and about on my days off climbing any piece of rock, snow or ice that I can find. I work and course direct on RCI & ML trainings/assessments.
I regularly engage in all paddlesports and have the privilege of being a national trainer for white water rafting & white water SUP as well as sitting on the British Canoeing technical board as well as Scottish Canoe Association Discipline Committees. I am also a provider in different SCA/BC awards which I deliver in canoe, kayak, SUP and rafts. I am currently at the forefront of white water paddleboarding and am pushing the limits of what is possible; I also have the privilege of being the first European ambassador for the world’s best white water SUP company, Hala. I deliver most of our SUP activities from beginner sessions through to expert developmental courses, as I am keen to share my passion and enjoyment with as many as possible. I love all elements of the outdoors and love seeing others excel in their development within the industry. I have climbed and paddled some hair-raising things over the years, but also enjoy just taking part in outdoor activities regardless of the level of difficulty.
My dream was to set up my own company which I have now achieved. Now all I need to do is share my same love and passion for the outdoors with others.
Snow, Rock & Mountain
- Mountain training Scotland Course Director For Rock Climbing Instructor
- Mountain training Scotland Course Director For Mountain Leader
- RCI
- SML
- WML
- MCI
- AMI Approved Technical Advisor
- PSIA Ski Instructor
- TCL
- WMCI
Water
- Paddlesport Safety And Rescue Course Provider
- White Water Rafting 2, 3 and Trip Leader 3 Course Provider & SCA National Trainer
- Paddlesport Leader & Touring Leader Course provider & National Trainer
- Paddlesport Instructor Course Provider
- SUP Instructor Course provider
- Advanced Open Water Canoe Leader
- Advanced White Water Canoe Leader
- White Water Canoe Coach
- Advanced White Water Kayak Leader
- White Water Kayak Coach
- Tidal Sea Kayak Leader
- White Water SUP Coach & National Trainer
- Coastal SUP Leader
- Open Water SUP Coach
Other:
- B.A Hons in Archaeology
- L 3 assessors certification
- Sport Scotland Tutor Award
My favourite activity has got to be stand up paddle boarding. In particular white water paddle boarding – but I love being on a SUP – a huge smile just crosses my face. And I owe it all to a great friend, Jim Gibson (national SUP trainer), who persevered and helped to convince me over ten years it was the future of paddlesports.
My second favourite activity would have to be winter climbing because it is, in a word, beautiful!
Sam Percival
Outdoor instructor, mountains, snow and rock – An overall climbing beast.
I work on lots of the high level experiences and courses we run – in particular on winter and summer climbing/scrambling.
I’m a passionate climber and mountaineer and whether working or playing, I’m in the mountains most days. Alongside climbing, mountaineering and hillwalking, I love wild swimming and mountain biking… and also dabble in a bit of BASE jumping.
I have over 15 years of outdoor instructing experience behind me but still feel like I learn something new about the hills every day. For me, the limitless opportunity to improve and learn is what excites me about the high places. Whether it’s discovering something about the environment itself, or how you can interact with it. Both journeys take you to some exceptional places and I’m passionate about sharing them with others.
Mountains:
- RCI
- SML
- WML
- MCI
- WMCI
Find me a bit of rock or ice to climb and I am the happiest person alive!
Kirsten Petrie
Outdoor instructor, provider, tutor, assessor – watersports.
I work as a senior instructor and Scottish canoe association provider for a charitable organisation and I regularly come in to help deliver courses like the Raft Guide Awards and SUP Instructor/PSI. I have been in the industry now for more than 15 years helping to develop many people through their awards and in particular help train and develop young people as well as people from disadvantaged backgrounds who would not perhaps get the same level of support and opportunities that others might.
I have the true privilege of being one of the most certified female rafting providers within the industry and love everything there is to love about sitting in a white water raft and either guiding or training or assessing others on the day.
I hope to see you all out on the water in whatever your preferred craft is and love to help everyone achieve their own aims and desires.
Water
- Paddlesport Safety And Rescue Course Provider
- White Water Rafting 2, 3 and Trip Leader 3 Course Provider
- Paddlesport Leader & Touring Leader Course provider
- Paddlesport Instructor Course Provider
- SUP Instructor Course provider
- Open & white water canoe leader.
- White Water Canoe Coach
- White Water Kayak Leader
- White Water Kayak Coach
- Tidal Sea Kayak Leader
- White Water SUP Coach
- Open Water SUP Coach
Other:
- L 3 assessors certification
- Sport Scotland Tutor Award
I love any water sports activity where I help and support others and in particular dedicate a lot of my time to helping those disadvantaged or younger paddlers who don’t get the same level of opportunities to paddle.
Amy Buttress
Outdoor instructor, mountains, snow and rock.
I grew up in the shadow of the Cairngorm mountains and have spent my life exploring the area. After spending several years travelling and exploring the world, I have returned to my roots and now share my passion for the upland environment with others.
Although my main passion is traditional rock climbing, I am also an expert skier, and have been exploring the region each winter for over 20 years. My personal aim is to combine these skills on ambitious ski-mountaineering routes. My next professional objective is to gain the Mountaineering Instructor Award so I can improve the range of services I provide clients.
In my life away from the outdoor industry, I create ceramic art, which is displayed in my family owned gallery, just north of Aviemore in Carrbridge.
Mountains:
- RCI
- SML
- MCI
Anything in the mountains or on the rock that I can spend time with my friends and others.
Jim Gibson
The true pioneer for stand up paddleboarding in Scotland
I am a course provider for the Scottish Canoe Association but all you really need to know about me is love SUP. The more I can do to help others develop a passion and inspiration for this sport the more I do.
I have been saying for years now that I will retire but I just can’t bring myself to it as this sport keeps me going and inspired.
Lots of different paddlesports ones over the years but I only SUP now.
Stand up paddleboarding is the best in my mind. I have taken part in many different elements of paddlesports over the years but it is on a SUP that all my worries disappear.
Lianne Trendell
Outdoor Instructor – water, mountains and rock.
I may be relatively new to the outdoor industry in Scotland but I operated as a diving instructor for many years so can draw on lots of experience coaching and training others in the water.
I love everything there is to love about the outdoors – just don’t sit me down and make me do admin pretty please! The mountains are my true calling!
Mountains:
- SML
- RCI
- WML Trained
Water:
- White water canoe leader
- White water sup Coach T
- PSRC
- WWSRT
- ADWWSRT
- Open water canoe leader
- Raft Guide 2
Winter climbing and winter walking … I love it – when the snow is on the mountains they are just beautiful!
Josh Robinson
Outdoor instructor in water, rock, snow and mountaineering.
I worked for many years managing outdoor companies before realising that I really wanted to specialise in mountaineering.
Since deciding this I have travelled right across Scotland offering climbing, scrambling and winter courses to a multitude of different people loving every second of the journey.
Mountains:
- SML
- WML
- RCI
- MCI
- WMCI
Water:
I have lots but don’t often partake in this for work anymore the mountains are my true calling!
Winter climbing in some remote isolated crag or section of the world.
Emy Mcleod
Outdoor Instructor, course provider for watersports in particular SUP.
I am heavily involved in helping everyone get opportunities to try out SUP – including female only groups and events for the SCA and British Canoeing.
I love being on the water and love helping others achieve their aims/develop their skills on the water as well. it is a true privilege to be able to provide national governing body awards to help train and assess others in their chosen crafts.
Water:
- PSRC
- WWSRT
- Advanced canoe open and white water leader
- White water canoe coach
- White water SUP coach
- Inland open water SUP provider
- PSI aspirant
- SUP instructor aspirant
Mountains:
- WML
- SML
Other:
- Degree in marketing
Put me on a paddle board and I am in my happy place!
Louis Kennedy
Outdoor Instructor, rock, mountains and snow.
I realised from a young age that I wanted to be in the outdoor industry and left school early to pursue my career as an outdoor instructor. I used to come up and train with Jim, and since then I have remained friends and am now pleased to be a colleague as well.
I love the mountains and, while I hold certifications in paddlesports as well, the mountains are my favourite element of the outdoors.
I worked for a time as an outdoor pursuits instructor in Gordonstoun School, but now I live on the west coast where I deliver a lot of the sessions over on Ben Nevis, Glencoe and the crags nearby.
Mountains:
- RCI
- SML
- WML
- MCI
Find me some rock, snow, ice or anything that I can climb and that is my favourite activity.
David Marshall
Outdoor Instructor in the water, and mountains. Course provider for watersports and heavily involved in SUP.
I pursued the outdoor career via a college course and then working for numerous different outdoor companies since. I have now settled and live happily with my family in Perthshire.
Because of my location I deliver lots of the courses around the Tayside area and love being on the water as much as I do the mountains.
Despite having a family I still find time to enjoy the outdoors and regularly take my family along to paddling days and out into the mountains.
Water:
- PSRC
- WWSRT
- Raft Guide
- Open and white water canoe leader
- White water kayak and canoe coach
- White water SUP coach
Mountains:
- SML
- RCI
I love spending time in the outdoors with my friends and family and enjoy the mountains and water equally.
Cal Wilson
Outdoor Instructor for the mountains and climbing.
Cahal Wilson gained invaluable experience on the challenging and renowned crags of Yorkshire before relocating to the Highlands with his wife. He has since worked as an instructor across the globe, with his mountain guiding endeavors in India and climbing guiding experiences in Spain being particularly memorable.
As is typical of many seasoned instructors, Cahal possesses a wide range of skills and certifications. During the winter season, he gravitates towards snowboarding and has boarded some breathtaking terrain in Europe and Japan.
In addition to his mountain-related instruction, coaching, and guiding in the UK, Cahal and his wife, Fay, organize Yoga retreats in both the UK and Spain.
Mountains:
- SML
- RCI
- MCI
- WML
Rock climbing with my friends and family.
