Cinque Terre: Laughing Until it Hurts
Our recent Cinque Terre holiday involved a substantial and quite complex mid-term move ... in the end we could hardly move for l…
Neil Lapping - Chief Adventure Officer
I was driven to found Macs Adventure by a passion for adventure and active travel and the realisation that I was probably unemployable. I firmly believe that the very best way to discover a country, its landscape, culture and people is under your own steam. So whether it's walking, trekking, or biking you will discover insights and have experiences that others simply do not enjoy. It is this philosophy and quest for excellence that underpins every holiday that we offer.
I have travelled extensively in Southern and East Africa, Australasia, Europe and Asia and spend my time walking, climbing, mountain biking and kite-surfing in Scotland and around the world. I have been professionally involved in running outdoor activities including sailing, windsurfing, waterskiing, mountain biking and walking since 1998 and am a business finance graduate. I love living in Glasgow with my wife and son, although I am trying unsuccessfully to convince them to move closer to my favourite kite surfing spot in Troon.
Areas of Expertise: Walking & Biking in Scotland and Italy.Trekking in Nepal and Tanzania
Favourite Adventures: Trekking Everest Base Camp, Walking in Tuscany
Kath Henderson - Operations & Sales Manager
My passion is travel and I've been fortunate enough to visit and work in some great places around the globe. Scotland has always been home for me and I am very proud to be working and promoting Scottish walking holidays. I have worked in the travel industry since 2002. First in STA Travel and since 2008 with Macs Adventure. Initially as a Destination and Adventure Specialist and since 2009 as Destination and Adventure Manager, making sure everything runs smoothly during your holiday.
I love adventure and meeting new people and some of my highlights have been trekking in Mexico, climbing Mount Kinabalu in Borneo, working in a cattle ranch in Oz and staying in an old Soviet Camp in Russia! When I'm not travelling I love running and getting involved in charity work.
Areas of Expertise: Walking Scotland, England, Spain and Wales.
Ewan MacCormick - D&A Specialist/Video Expert
After returning from one of our lengthy sojourns abroad, I took a holiday with my girlfriend, driving around Scotland which changed my mind about what I wanted to do with my life. We walked down deserted roads, seals barking to our left, full to the brim of magical Islay whisky. We placed our feet in the hole in the rock in Dunadd where the ancient Kings were crowned and surveyed the glorious scenery around us. We buried those same feet in the pastel pink sands at Durness and stared north over a cyan sea, clearer than any we had seen in the Caribbean. It was after this trip that I knew where my passion in life lay. It was here in Scotland.
Though I enjoyed talking about international travel at STA travel for 3 years, my favourite times were always when lost tourists came into the shop for advice and it was only when I started with Macs Adventure in 2008 that I got the chance to give this kind of advice for a living.
My passion in life is Snowboarding (apart from my family of course, should they happen to read this!) and have taken up mountain biking to fill the seasonal gap and keep me fit enough to spend as much time on the slopes as I can, come winter.
Areas of Expertise:The Camino & other pilgrimages
Laura Paterson - Destination & Adventure Specialist
Passionate about travel, I love nothing more than seeing new places and meeting new people. I have travelled extensively around Asia, Europe and Australia, and wherever possible like to do as much of this overland as possible as believe this is the best way to see a country. While I enjoyed my time overseas, I believe our own country has so much to offer and now proud to be working for Macs Adventure and helping people to experience the beautiful scenery and outstanding hospitality which can be experienced in Scotland and England. I have worked in the travel industry for about 8 years and love nothing more than making people's holidays!
My interests include walking and running, and I can often be found out walking at the weekend with friends - and of course enjoying my well-earned rest in the pub at the end of it! Recent adventures include a trip along the fantastic West Highland Way and some trekking in the rainforest in Costa Rica.
Areas of Expertise: Walking and Cycling in England & Wales
Gayle Taylor - Destination & Adventure Specialist
I started my career in travel over ten years ago working for a Greek villa company which ignited my passion for travel and adventure. I have worked in various aspects of the travel industry over the years and after a short spell in the wine Industry, I decided it was time to get back to my real passion which is travel. I have worked and travelled extensively in Europe and worldwide and love to pack up my wee mini cooper and head off on an adventure. Skiing is a real passion of mine and a season running a ski chalet in the French Alp has turned me into a real ski bum and taught me how to make fabulous cakes!
I love to keep fit with walking, running and swimming and have just ran my first marathon and most probably my last! I love to holiday and ski in France and am currently learning French in the hope to be fluent one day! Another passion is cooking, I love to cook and host dinner parties for friends and family.
Areas of Expertise: Walking & Cycling in Italy and Spain
Dan Greenwood - Destination & Adventure Specialist
Originally from a small coastal village in South Wales I grew up surrounded by dramatic landscapes and incredible natural splendour. This fuelled a lifelong passion in wildlife and the great outdoors and I have since travelled around the world in a quest to experience both in equal measure. My travels placed me in good stead to enter the travel industry and I have been involved in many different facets of this work over the last 20 years.
After meeting my partner while we were both working in Kenya we moved to her home country Scotland and I have come to adore the incredible wilderness of this beautiful country. Becoming part of Macs Adventure has allowed me to utilise and apply my passions and knowledge to provide the best possible experience for the client.
When I am not in work I can be found binoculars in hand searching for all creatures, great and small!
Areas of Expertise: Walking in Scotland and Wales
Sophia Marci-Anderson - Destination & Adventure Specialist
Growing up in a village on the beautiful Cornish coastline ignited my passion for the outdoors and a desire to see the world. After graduating with a degree in languages at Cardiff University which included a year studying in Italy & France, I spent the next three years travelling.
My first destination was South America, with memorable experiences including independently hiking through the jungle trying to find an 'alternative' Inca Trail; piranha fishing in the Amazon; and swaying on a hammock on a Colombian beach. South East Asia was next, where amongst other adventures I trekked to a Hmong tribe in Northern Laos; followed by a fantastic year in New Zealand spent learning how to make great coffee.
Having recently moved to Scotland I am enjoying discovering its spectacular, dramatic scenery and friendly locals. I was lucky enough to find a company as passionate about travel as I am, and I love helping people arrange active holidays all over Europe!
Areas of Expertise: Europe
Caroline Black - Destination & Adventure Specialist
I have been passionate about travel since an early age, spending my childhood travelling to America, Canada, Asia and Europe, I went on to study Travel management at university which gave me great opportunities to work in America and led me to undertake a trip of a lifetime around the world!
As much as I love travelling abroad I always enjoy coming back to Scotland, I now want to concentrate my travels in the UK where I can explore the historic castles, rugged landscapes and magnificent coastline, Macs Adventure has given me the perfect opportunity to do this and I am looking forward to sharing my experiences with our clients.
Areas of Expertise: England & Wales
Cushla Green - Destination & Adventure Specialist
Originally from New Zealand, I have always been passionate about travel. After spending a summer working as a swimming teacher and lifeguard at an American Summer Camp, I decided travel was definitely the industry for me.
I started my career in travel with Flight Centre on the Sunshine Coast of Australia, where I lived for six years. During my time there I travelled through South East Asia as much as I could, covering Bali, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia. After gaining a position with Emirates Airline, Dubai became home, and I was lucky enough to travel extensively through the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa.
Some of my favourite adventures during my travels were walking the Cinque Terre, visiting ancient Petra in Jordan, and exploring (and getting lost in), the medinas of Morocco. My other passion is photography, and I love nothing more than getting off the beaten track amongst the locals, and capturing the unexpected. Now living in Scotland, I recently joined the team at Macs Adventure, where I am lucky enough to work with a team of like-minded people.
Areas of Expertise: England & Wales
Fraser MacRae - Destination & Adventure Specialist
With an obsession for travel from a young age I left home at 19 to embark on the first of two lengthy round the world trips. After having worked and travelled extensively round Southern Africa, Indonesia, Asia and Australasia, while taking in as many sights and wonders as I could, I am still very proud to call Scotland and all its beauty my home. I have a huge affinity for the great outdoors and am a keen runner and cyclist, cycling to work every day in sun, rain or hail (not snow). I have recently taken up snowboarding and am also working hard on my climbing skills in the hope of taking on a climbing trip in the not too distant future.
I have worked in the travel industry for the past 7 years, beginning my career in Flight Centre, and am delighted to now use my passion and experience to help people see all the best of what Scotland's rugged landscapes have to offer. I believe Scotland's most beautiful spot is Eilean Donan Castle which sits majestically within its glorious surroundings on a small island on Loch Duich, however I may be slightly biased as it is the ancestral home of my clan the MacRae's.
Areas of Expertise: Scotland
Laura McGreevy - Destination & Adventure Specialist
Having worked in the travel industry for over 13 years, and travelled extensively in the USA, Australasia and South East Asia, it is easy to understand where my passion lies. My knowledge and experience of different cultures, working practices and travel in other countries has been invaluable to my personal and working life.
I joined Macs Adventure in June 2012 where I relished the opportunity and challenge to work as part of the team that promotes Walking & Cycling Holidays in the UK and Europe. Originally I worked on the Scottish tours, but we have recently developed our range of European tours to include some amazing destinations and unique adventures, which I now specialise in.
It gives me great pleasure and an enormous amount of satisfaction helping people organise their travel plans and in my spare time I love nothing more than exploring Scotland's great outdoors with my partner and my very energetic, two year old, black Labrador. Whether it is the turquoise waters of Ardnamurchan, the remote wilderness of the Highlands or simply the picturesque towns and villages of Perthshire, Scotland never fails to amaze me.
Areas of Expertise: Europe
Selina Snooks - Bookkeeper & Office Manager
After a career in financial services and pensions administration of over 20 year I saw the light and joined the team at Macs Adventure.
Although not quite as well travelled as some of the team I have holidayed in a few far flung places such as India, Hong Kong and Indonesia.
I love working at Macs as it is a fast paced, interesting place to work and no day is ever the same. Outside of work, my main passion is golf which I play regularly throughout the year at Cawder Golf Club and I am also Treasurer of our ladies section.
Areas of Expertise: Bookkeeping
Sally Thompson - Product Manager
I got hooked on travelling when I participated in a homestay to France
during my teens. Then in my 20's I went further afield to South East
Asia, Australia and New Zealand. The outdoor and active interest began
when I joined the girl guides! It is here where I learned to love camping
and join in on long hikes through the British countryside, singing at the
top of my lungs with my fellow guides!
It seemed like a natural progression to work in adventure travel. As a
Product Manager it is my role (and privilege) to design tours, both
biking, walking and otherwise. What could be better than planning
exciting holidays for our discerning guests?
I have been lucky enough to walk in many beautiful areas of the world,
such as Nepal, Sardinia, Costa Rica and Bhutan. However I also love to
hike and bike in the many scenic areas of the UK and sometimes I even
attempt to drag my two teenage children along the trail!!
Areas of Expertise: Product Managment
Fran Mitchell - Marketing Executive
I joined the team at Macs Adventure in March 2013, working in the Marketing Department. My area of experience from University & previous employment is in marketing, and although I had not previously worked specifically in the travel industry, I was quickly immersed in the Macs Adventure products (and feeling inspired by the fantastic range)!
I have lived in Glasgow for over 10 years, after falling in love with the city whilst at University. I am perhaps not as well travelled as many of the team members, but working at Macs has prompted me to create an extensive wish list of future destinations! My favourite parts of the world from past travels include the Atlantic coast in Morocco and North-Eastern Iceland, but I firmly believe that being based in Scotland we are luckier than many of us realise, with the world class landscapes, seascapes, and hospitality at our fingertips in Scotland and the UK. Some of my best travel memories are from holidays to the Scottish Outer Hebrides (surely some of the most beautiful beaches to be found anywhere!), and the Northern Isles.
Areas of Expertise: Marketing
Sarah Gillis - Marketing Communications Executive
Originally from Canada, I grew up in Nova Scotia – “New Scotland”. My family is passionate about our Scottish heritage and it certainly encouraged my recent move to the UK!
With an interest in travel, I have had the opportunity to travel within Canada, Mexico, Hawaii and throughout the Caribbean. A highlight would definitely be snorkeling in the Molokini crater off the coast of Maui! I love the water and was lucky to spend my summers on the Mira River, in Cape Breton Island with my family. I love staying active and enjoy running, swimming, hiking and anything that will allow me to be on the move!
Focusing in marketing while studying Commerce in university, allowed me to gain previous marketing communications experience in the travel/tourism industry. I recently joined the Macs Adventure team and am thrilled to work with such a passionate group! The D&A Team’s extensive knowledge will certainly help as I look forward to exploring all the beauty the UK and Europe has to offer.
Areas of Expertise: Marketing
Nikki Rickett - Product Manager
I have always loved being immersed in wild and wide open spaces, and so was thrilled to make the move up to Scotland from South East England in April 2013 to join Macs Adventure.
I’ve been lucky enough to find my dream career in travel, which started in 1998, and have since been fortunate enough to work with some truly fascinating destinations and characters from all over the world. Memorable travel highlights include watching the aurora borealis in Iceland and Alaska, snorkeling with sharks in the Bahamas, visiting an elephant orphanage in Sri Lanka, watching magnificent polar bears in Canada, and kayaking in New Zealand.
My passion for the polar regions led to me spending several austral seasons in Antarctica; as Base Leader at Port Lockroy (UK Antarctic Heritage Trust) and as a naturalist guide on board an expedition cruise ship. Now back in civilisation, I can’t wait to get out and about on foot and by canoe exploring Scotland’s finest trails and lochs. I’m excited about introducing new and unique itineraries to our programme here at Macs, which I hope will tempt you to embark on your own adventure (on foot, by bike or other means!).
Areas of Expertise: Product Management
