Press release: Scotland’s Wildest Tourism Winter Yet

• Wild Scotland unveils winter timetable with a twist
• Night snorkelling, winter wildlife watching, and hot tent glamping top the line-up
• Activities developed to support sustainable tourism and showcase Scotland during the winter months

Scotland in winter is synonymous with rain and snow – but a new campaign offering magical hikes, snowy trails and breath-taking views is set to launch in time for Christmas.

A new winter timetable has been developed by membership organisation Wild Scotland inspiring travellers to explore stunning locations from the Lochs of Assynt to Mull of Kintyre, to learn something new, showcase Scotland’s most scenic undiscovered regions and support local businesses to stay open during the winter months.

A wide range of activities will make up the timetable, from stargazing at dark sky discovery spots, winter wildlife watching with expert guides, night snorkelling, guided winter mountaineering and hot tent wild camping – all designed to nurture the need for freedom and adventure as Covid continues to influence our lives.

The timetable will be available to view via Wild Scotland, which represents wildlife, adventure and activity tourism operators across Scotland, who will also be highlighting how to respect the wild and holiday both responsibly and sustainably this winter.

Doug McAdam, Wild Scotland Chairman, said: “Scotland in the winter can be simply breath-taking, but many are put off by the wild weather that we typically get each year. With international travel uncertain and local lockdowns across Europe, we have developed a diverse range of activities to provide unforgettable, safe adventures and allow both visitors and locals alike to experience Scotland as they’ve never experienced it before – no matter the weather.

“We know winter can be a tough time of year for many mentally, particularly right now with COVID continually dominating the headlines. But the short, sparkling days and long, cold nights are perfect for these activities – perfect to explore open spaces, meet new people, connect with nature and escape the everyday stress. It’s a scientific fact that exposure to daylight is essential to wellbeing and mental health; something that is well understood in countries in northern latitudes with very limited daylight in winter where people know the importance of being outdoors and maximising daylight exposure. Scotland is a destination that can be enjoyed all-year round, particularly with the wealth of warm and quirky places to stay. We’re certain this year will be our wildest winter yet.”

The campaign is being spearheaded by Wild Scotland, which champions the sustainable wildlife, adventure and activity tourism sector in Scotland to create meaningful and lasting environmental and social change.

The downloadable winter timetable is available at: wild-scotland.co.uk/nurture or follow Wild Scotland on social media @WildScotland #WildScotland #NurtureInScotland

Winter Timetable

• Craggan Outdoors, Grantown-on-Spey
• Ace Adventures Hideaways, Forres
• Perthshire Treks, Perth
• Basking Shark Scotland, Oban
• Speyside Wildlife, Granton On Spey
• Perthshire Wildlife, Perth
• BowHunter Archery
• Hillgoers, North East Scotland
• Wee Adventures, Aberfeldy
• Unique Adventures Tour, Aberfeldy
• Wild Discovery, Crathie
• Comrie Croft, Braincroft
• Cullen Sea School, Moray
• Wild Wimmin, Scotland-wide
• Mckenzie Mountaineering, Ullapool
• Wild West, Lochaber
• Comrie Croft, Perthshire
• Wilderness Scotland, Aviemore
• Arc Guiding, Cairngorms
• M& J Bloomfield (photograghy safaris)
• Highlands Unbridled, Ballogie
• E Guide Scotland, Aboyne
• Progression Bikes Scotland, Dunkeld
• Balmoral Landrover Safaris
• Wreckspeditions, Dunoon
• Stardust Boat Tours, Portree
• Wild Discovery, Crathie
• Scot Mountain Holidays, Fraoch Lodge
• Wigwam Holidays, Montrave-estate
• Primal Adventures, West of Scotland
• Ocean Vertical, Belhaven
• Wilder Ways, Campbeltown
• Skyefari, Skye
• BlueWild, East Lothian
• The Torridon, Wester Ross
• Geo Walks, Edinburgh
• Beyond Adventure, Aberfeldy
• Assynt Fishing, Assynt
• Aquila Ecology, Perthshire
• Birding Ecosse
• Forestry and Land Scotland
• RSPB Scotland Nature Reserves
• Scottish Seabird Centre
• Where Stag Roar Newtonmore
• In Your Element, outdoor experiences across Scotland
• Highland Quietlife, Cairngorms
• Caledonian Discovery, Fort William
• James Orpwood Mountaineering

NOTES TO EDITORS  

Wild Scotland is the National Association representing the Wildlife, Activity and Adventure Tourism Sector in Scotland. The organisation works closely with VisitScotland, the STA and the Scottish Government representing the interests of its members and the wider sector. Membership is made up of c 140 businesses that offer everything from wilderness walking holidays, mountain biking tours to wildlife watching, boat trips and bushcraft activities. They are committed to providing best practice and deliver some of the most inspiring experiences that Scotland has to offer.

The organisation was first established in 2003 and later in 2011 merged with Activity Scotland.

For more information about Wild Scotland please contact: Victoria Brooks: victoria@wild-scotland.co.uk / 07868 339404

-Ends-

For press enquiries please contact Clarion Communications kafzal@clarioncommunications.co.uk / lhughes@clarioncomms.co.uk