Reviews and Testimonials

Very well organised. Comfortable B&B in Lerwick, with great breakfasts! Excellent packed lunches. Iain was a good, safe leader… though he occasionally got a bit lost! And Shetland was a wonderful place to explore that we hadn’t previously thought of visiting.

What a wonderful experience! We saw so much, learned so much, and enjoyed every moment. Our guide was informed, interested and interesting, and skilfully accommodated changes in weather conditions as well as seeking feedback on options from the group. Thank you Iain!

This trip to Norway was really amazing! Not only were the views exceptional, but the trip itself felt smooth and very well organised, which made it an incredibly easy experience for the participants.

10 stars!! I absolutely loved my Open Gold DofE Expedition in the Jotunheim, Norway. It was incredible hiking in the “Land of Giants”. We navigated difficult terrain, stayed in a cosy mountain hut, and saw 12 reindeer-several of which were prancing about on the glacier we went up to! Our supervisors were great – they helped us to plan the best, most amazing route, and throughout the expedition I learnt new things from Alastair like how to properly walk on snow and what plants are edible (some lichen was eaten).

This was my second Open Qualifying Expedition with Aspen and, although we didn’t all know each other, we got on really well – like the first expedition, it made the experience that much greater.

I would definitely recommend Aspen to anyone. Thank you so, so, so much Alastair and Daisy for such an amazing expedition and making it happen!!

This was the best expedition I’ve been on, I had a brilliant time!

Thank you for a very well organised trip and well thought out safety procedures for the crossings.

It was kind of you to escort me to the summit of the Corbett and down from the bealach though I feel I could have managed the descent myself. Still you didn’t know that until afterwards so I appreciate your concern. I have already recommended your services to others that I know.

My son had a great experience on his Gold qualifying expedition. The assessors were very supportive. The group, who didn’t know each other in advance, worked well together and made quick friendships. I would recommend to others.

My 16-year-old son has just returned from his Gold Duke of Edinburgh qualifying expedition to Norway with Aspen Outdoors, and I honestly can’t recommend them highly enough.

From start to finish, the whole experience was exceptionally well organised and professionally run. Communication was excellent throughout, which gave us complete confidence before he even set off. He had an absolutely fantastic time and came home with so many amazing memories.

The trip challenged him, built his confidence, and was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It was everything we could have hoped for from an overseas Gold DofE expedition. A huge thank you to the entire Aspen Outdoors team for providing such an incredible opportunity and taking such great care of everyone involved. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend you to anyone considering a Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition abroad!

The trip was a great experience. Alistair and Emma made the day lots of fun. A long day but a good day. Would def recommend to others.

The team at Aspen Outdoors were fantastic. The expedition was well organised and the supervision given excellent. We highly recommend their expeditions for anyone looking for a Gold DofE expedition opportunity. Thank you Iain, Debbie, Jen & Alistair – you were amazing.

First of all, the quality of the leadership on this trip was excellent. While at first we wondered whether it would be awkward being the only participants on the trip, Alan immediately set us at ease because he was so friendly and enthusiastic about Orkney.

He was extremely responsive to our needs. For example, when Heather requested to visit a place where she could paint, Alan immediately knew the perfect beach just a few minutes away. And when Tom’s back acted up, Alan adjusted the itinerary and continually monitored Tom’s pain level. Alan brings his love of, and experience with, all things outdoors to the conversation, which really enriched our time on Orkney.

The length of the walks were just right for us, however Tom would have preferred to walk continuously for longer stretches at a time. Our favorite walk was on the Isle of Hoy, where we had incredible views and the altitude change wasn’t too great. The accommodations at Bella Vista were excellent, as were the restaurants. Overall we were very happy with our experience on Orkney, and we appreciated Alan’s suggestions for future trips. Thank you!

First, the leadership on this trip was exceptional. Alistair’s knowledge of the various parts of the island was comprehensive. We noticed right away that he was really tuned into the natural history of Shetland. This was evident on the first day at Culswick, when he pointed out many different types of plant and bird species.

He clearly has a love for the place, including its geology and archeology, and this translates to his directing activities in a thoughtful way. For example, when we visited the Broch of Mousa, he devoted a good stretch of time to the tour so we could gain an understanding of its significance but also experience its powerful visual impact. We also appreciated the amount of walking as well as the pace. The accommodations at Alder Lodge Guest House were very good, as were the restaurants.

All in all, we had a wonderful experience. It was a bonus having Alistair’s parents as co- participants on the trip. Thank you!

Fantastic day out. 2 great guides. Perfect weather. I’ve recommended to lots of people.

Wonderful trip. Daisy and David were 5 Star all the way. David has such a Vast knowledge of the Shetland Islands, plants and birds. I appreciated all the information he shared with us and his love of the islands. Daisy stayed on top of everything and was more than willing to jump in and help wherever was needed. Truly, a really good team. The accommodation and staff was wonderful. I enjoyed each and every ferry, the daily itinerary, the restaurants, and the special trip to see the Puffins. Thank you sooooo much for a really excellent trip. I loved this trip so much, I just put deposits down for 2 more trips for 2027. Thanks again and I would highly recommend this trip and company!

Initially I appreciated the information Alistair gave me about the tour, helping me decide if the holiday was suitable for me.  He also looked into an extension to Harris and Lewis but that wasn’t to be.  I’m impressed the tour was run with only two of us.  Thank you! The B&Bs were very comfortable and in good locations.  The hosts were very helpful. Iain was a very adaptable leader.  He changed the programme to suit the weather and our interests.  He was well informed about the places we visited and also researched further. Daisy and Iain made sure I got safely to Harris and that I had my homeward journey planned (which I did). Daisy provided me with plenty of information for my solo trip, found comfortable accommodation for me and booked a very interesting guide.

I’m very glad I visited the Western Isles.  I learnt plenty, enjoyed the environment and felt safe at all times.  I can’t think of anything I would change. Thank you very much Aspen Outdoors.

I had a amazing time doing my DOFE residential. During the experience I climbed multiple hills, learned bushcraft, canoed long distances and learned many fun facts off Alastair. The leaders are very helpful and experienced so if guidance is needed they are a real help. Would highly recommend.

A truly fantastic experience! Great guides, wonderful people, good food, comfortable accommodation and warm showers. I didn’t want the trip to end!

The walks on both Shetland and the Orkney Islands exceeded expectations!. Not only were the guides extremely knowledgeable they were all passionate about the history of Scotland and thoroughly enjoyed worked for Aspen Outdoors. The accommodations were pleasant and the dinner restaurant selections fantastic! Thank you all to the team for making this a memorable trip!!!

My wife and I have asked the team at Aspen to assist us in putting together a private one-month walking Tour of Scotland (mostly Highlands and Islands). Aspen have been truly exceptional! Their expertise and their genuine enthusiasm to share the beauty of their country with us have been outstanding. The planning of our trip with the team, the guided portions of our tour, the recommendations and guidance for the self-guided portions of our trip, and all the accommodations selected for us have all been beyond great! More than anything, this trip has been a true «sharing experience » with our friends at Aspen, and we will be forever grateful for having had the privilege to discover Scotland with the assistance and company of such a remarkable team of great people ! Kudos and Thank you Aspen.

Wonderful trip to so many beautiful unique locations and truly relaxing as everything was perfectly organised. Our guide Alan was always friendly, helpful and efficient, as well as flexible with accommodating the changes in the weather and our group’s preferences. He also took us to some great restaurants! Thanks for a lovely holiday 🙂

We had a great trip to the Orkneys. Our guide, Alan, was fantastic; he was very knowledgeable and responsive to the group. Even when the weather didn’t cooperate, the backup plan was fun and interesting. The group size, 5 people, was perfect.

I enjoyed every minute of this trip. It went too quickly. We saw some varied landscapes in Shetland from the high cliffs of Unst to the remote landscape of Papa Stour. The walks were generally not too long but the terrain was varied including boggy, rocky and sections on prepared paths. We saw an abundance of bird life including close ups of puffins, gannets, guillemots skuas lapwings and more. The broch on Mousa was pretty spectacular as was Jarlshof prehistoric site. I also enjoyed the museum in Lerwick, the guided tour of Lerwick and the bird watching boat trip. All in all a very varied and stimulating mixture of experiences. The leader David was very well organised, considerate and thoughtful in his leading of the walks, driving the vehicle and planning the days. Davids knowledge of Shetland added greatly to our understanding of Shetland life and it’s history. Daisy from the office was a huge help with the organisation and added much to our trip with her youthful enthusiasm but related well to the clients who were much older than herself. I really enjoyed the company of the other clients on the trip and felt we gelled well fairly quickly. The accommodation at Alder Lodge was very comfortable and the location was ideal. Rooms were clean and comfortable, staff very pleasant and helpful and the standard of breakfasts and packed lunches very high. A superb range of restaurants were selected for the evening meals which allowed us to sample local seafood as well as authentic Nepalese or Indian cuisine. I enjoyed the trip so much that I am very keen to book another trip with Aspen Outdoors.

I enjoyed the Canoe + Corbett + Munro trip! Everything was very well organised, and all safety measures were carefully covered before we set off. If you enjoy the outdoors, hiking, and spending time in nature, this is a fantastic little adventure that I would highly recommend.

From start to finish our group from HF had an awesome day with Aspen Outdoors. Alastair and Penny were fully professional and their knowledge and experience was first class. I would have no hesitation recommending them to anyone who enjoys the great outdoors.

This is my second trip with Aspen Outdoors and it was as enjoyable as the first! Alastair is a first class guide and very knowledgeable about the places visited. The B&Bs used were both very good, with superb hosts. I had a wonderful time and can’t wait for the next trip!

What a brilliant holiday that was! Walking around the islands of the Outer Hebrides with a lovely little group. Everything was organised to perfection: lovely B&Bs and fantastic walks along a whole host of beaches. You never tire of that: every moment of the day brings different shades of blue – it never gets boring! I’m already looking forward to the next trip, which I still need to sort out, mind you… ;-).

I had a most enjoyable trip with great walks, stunning world class beaches, varied bird and plant life, excellent guide, comfortable accommodation and good food.

This is our group of six’s 5th tour with Alistair Ewen of Aspen Outdoors. Each one has been magical. The company organizes the tours so that you know exactly what is planned and what to expect. Accommodations are always top drawer for the area you are in. The food has surpassed our expectations year after year. The hikes are always very well organized.
Importantly, when things go sideways (on this tour a ferry had mechanical problems and on a different day another ferry’s pilot had a bereavement issue, so plans for both days had to be scrapped), this company can turn on a dime and ensure that you have a good day doing something completely different than was planned). Alistair is a great human being and an amazingly knowledgeable (in all areas–geology, geography, botany, history, wildlife, etc.) guide. On this tour he stocked me up on Diet Cokes. Amazingly thoughtful on his part. Very much appreciated and enjoyed on my part.

What a grand introduction to Islay, Jura, Gigha and Arran, plus the Kintyre peninsula! History, geology, anthropology, flora and fauna were all discussed. Accommodations were top-notch and hiking was outstanding. Aspen Outdoors knows how to do it right!

Superb trip organised with great skill efficiency and safety . Terrific alternative to doing this Munro from Glen Dessary and should be better known. Magical canoe trip across Loch Quoich. An unforgettable day, thank you very much for all.

We had a great time away with the instructors, our young people really valued the independence offered to learn and develop for their Silver qualifier for their Duke of Edinburgh Award.

The best and safest experience.

I found the entire event very fun and interesting. I was never bored and had a great time meeting all of the other participants and the instructors. The instructors were extremely friendly and always happy to talk and answer any questions.

It was very good: great food, good accommodation, experienced and pleasant guides and good routes.

Just as wonderful as the first time round. Very grateful for the opportunity and the Aspen team.

Very well organised. Good food and company.

Had a great time on the Aspen winter skills course. Iain, our instructor was clear in his instructions, good fun and took good care of his charges. The conditions didn’t lend themselves to doing as much as I’d hoped, but we made good use of what snow was about. Convivial and comfortable accommodation….excellent food! Alistair and assistant chefs can cook for me any day 😀.

Had an amazing day, thank you Aspen Outdoors!

I enjoyed the course and found many of the ideas, games and tips useful for teaching basic navigation. It was a useful way to understand the learning needs of people who are keen to learn navigation and then progress to learning about map and compass work. I found the group to be an inclusive atmosphere.

This was such a good day course! I was a little bit nervous on arrival but instructors were so patient and kind it put me at ease straight away. I learnt so much about kit, winter hill walking skills and how to manage in quite extreme conditions. I definitely entered my “stretch zone” during the day, but the instructors were so calm, supportive and experienced I felt safe throughout. Just keen to do more now! Thanks!

Really great and worthwhile training. Leader was great, took the time to explain everything really well, very approachable person and made the whole group feel very included and comfortable.

We thought the whole weekend was planned really well with a perfect mix of fun, team work & learning new skills.

Thank you very much for your course delivery today. I found it both interactive and fun and have come away with new ideas of how to teach navigation.

Many thanks for the fantastic and most enjoyable learning experience, as I learned a lot. It has even made me think about how I might be able to pass what I have learned to others.

I thoroughly enjoyed the course and found it very interesting. I loved learning about different tinders and plants. It was great to get to explore these and have a chance to build our own fire.

Enjoyed the ease I was able to access some of the hidden away gems in the countryside I otherwise would have not seen.

Thanks to Aspen and to our guide Iain for a most wonderful week in the Shetland Islands. We had the most amazing trip. The accommodation was excellent. Iain was a fantastic guide and made everyday so easy and enjoyable. The group all got on great, and we spent most days laughing. All the restaurants that were picked were really good. Empty plates every evening.

It has been a wonderful experience that let me forget everything, a total immersion in the nature and wonderful sceneries, with a very cosy group and a well prepared guide, also friendly person. I hope to be able to contact you for a new travel. Thanks so much.

We visited many parts of Shetland from the south to the north and enjoyed good weather virtually the whole time. Our guide, Alastair, was excellent, imparting lots of information on history, geology, wildlife and botany. Accommodation was very good, especially in Lerwick.

Thanks to Aspen and to our guide Iain for a most wonderful week in the Shetland Islands. We had the most amazing trip. The accommodation was excellent. Iain was a fantastic guide and made everyday so easy and enjoyable. The group all got on great, and we spent most days laughing. All the restaurants that were picked were really good. 

We had a great time, helped by the weather being very kind to us. Alastair was an excellent guide (and driver!), very knowledgeable about the wildlife, flowers and the history of Shetland. The coastal scenery we saw on our walks was outstanding. The tour was very well planned and all details were well thought through, ensuring that all members of the group were well looked after. Thank you for a memorable experience. 

Very well organised from start to finish. Accommodation and meals excellent. I experienced a real insight into the Shetlands by a very knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide. Great group dynamics. Thank you.

A great experience, especially when the weather improved after a couple of days. Guide very knowledgeable and thoughtful. Fantastic scenery and pristine white beaches. Accommodation good and very good.

This was my 2nd time traveling with Alastair, who is an expert guide in all aspects of the wilderness and Scottish history. All details concerning lodging, food, and travels were expertly taken care of and looked after. All of the hikes/walks were well thought out and thoroughly enjoyable. Alastair is the consummate gentleman and always interesting with whom to chat. I look forward to my 3rd outing with him/his tour outfit sometime soon.

Excellent trip in spite of dreich weather. Well organised with clear instructions and supported by professional guiding throughout.

Very well organized. Also flexibility (schedule changed to adjust to weather when possible) Accommodation good, breakfast excellent. Lots of fun and I learned a lot!

The trip to Orkney was fascinating. There was just the right balance of coastal walks, historical sites and bird / plant watching and identification. Good conversation, great company and excellent variety of food.

This was an unforgettable trip. The perfect mix of incredible scenery, history, archaeology, culture, and, yes, shopping. Our B&B was homey and comfortable and the staff were wonderful. The walks were a manageable length and covered a wide variety of terrain. Our guide Alastair did an excellent job of adjusting our itinerary based on the weather, and providing us with coffee breaks. He was a wealth of knowledge about the wildlife, plants, and culture and really helped us get the most out of our time in the islands. I was traveling alone but the small group size made for a friendly and delightful atmosphere. I highly recommend this tour, especially if you are traveling to Shetland for the first time and want to get a taste of all the islands have to offer. I am seriously considering taking another of their tours in the near future.

Apart from the weather, the trip was great. Well organised and highly recommended.

Had a great time it was an interesting experience thank you for organising.

What an amazing experience! Our trip with Aspen Outdoors was tailored perfectly to our needs and carefully crafted to offer the trip of a lifetime. Well-organized, excellent communication and exceptional service. Five stars!

The weather was not perfect, but in other respects this was an excellent experience, especially the accommodation for the first half of the week. Alastair was a very well-informed leader and he managed the itinerary thoughtfully and was responsive to changing circumstances.

Very good itinerary of walking, culture and history. The accommodation, packed lunches and transport were more than adequate. The Shetlands are wonderful. The guide was a walking encyclopedia!

Lovely well organised and well planned trip on beautiful Orkney.

I enjoyed every minute of this trip. The accommodation was brilliant and all the food was really good. Alister was a wonderful guide with great knowledge of Shetland and fabulous stories. I would strongly recommend the tour.

We had a GREAT TRIP! The Shetland country side and vistas were spectacular and the tour guide was extremely knowledgeable of the area, the history of the region and the wildlife. The weather was like we expected for the time of year. The daily hikes and excursions are very manageable and offer an in-depth view of the countryside and history of the area. We stayed in a great B&B during our tour with breakfast and lunch was included. Our guide took us to different local restaurants evert night. We would recommend this tour to anyone who wants a walking tour.

The Shetland Walking Tour was an excellent trip all around. We loved the accommodations, and Alistair was an excellent guide, taking us on fascinating walks and sharing both his personal history of life on Shetland as well as the geographic, geological, and social history of life on the islands. We also appreciated his ability to change plans when needed (as is sometimes the case due to weather and wind), and to create new and exciting itineraries on the fly that were every bit as enjoyable as the original plans.

This is an amazing diverse trip very well planned and really showed us all that was best of Shetland in a very short time. The tour leader had the most incredible knowledge of places, geology, history, birds , plants, legends and tales of Shetland. It was one of the most interesting and informative trips I have been on. Each day was very well planned and our leader worked very hard driving us to places organising a walk and taking us to many historical sites. I really feel we had a true flavour of Shetland and were very well looked after. We saw stunning coastal scenery and a very good selection of places to walk from small islands to peninsulas and along wonderful coastline. We had a fabulous boat trip one evening to see the bird colonies of Noss and Bressay. I feel I got a really good idea of the history and geography of Shetland . We had splendid evening meals out at local restaurants . If the weather prevented one plan our leader proved very adaptable and had a plan b . Our b and b in Lerwick was excellent and it was good to have it just for our group making it really easy and friendly. We were very well looked after by our hostess with fabulous breakfasts and one superbly cooked dinner in the house. I feel I have come away with a wonderful view and experience of Shetland as a place . We were reasonably lucky with the weather except for one foggy day which for Shetland was very good. I was also impressed with our ferry accommodation and as my first over night trip by ferry found it a very comfortable experience helped by smooth crossings of course. We just learnt so much about various former settlements and way of life like crofting , the birds nesting and wild flowers . Plenty of time was taken to tell us all about the sites we went to and any ruins our walks took us to. I would really recommend this trip to anyone wanting to experience Shetland to the full.

This was a fantastic trip. Just the right balance of hiking/walking in beautiful settings and archeologic sites. Aspen Outdoors was the best tour guide/travel agents we have ever had…and we have travelled all over the world. Alistair Ewen and Jen Brooke were always on top of every detail and extremely responsive. Our on the ground guides (Alan Dorward, Julie Gibson, and Rachel Harris) were great people and all fantastic re their knowledge and attentiveness. Alan stayed with us most of the trip and he was obsessive about making sure that everything was perfect. We had little to think about which made a great vacation. We highly recommend Aspen Outdoors for support and highly recommend the Orkney Islands as a destination. 

What a great trip. Went to so many beautiful and fascinating places. Our guides were knowledgeable about the area and shared their fast knowledge with us. The hikes were well planned and there was always time to stop and have a coffee or hot chocolate at the local cafes. Would highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to really see and experience the islands.