The Macs Adventure Team

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

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.

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: Walking, Biking and Adventure in Scotland.

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 peopleÕs 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 Italy & Spain

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

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, greatÉ and small!

Areas of Expertise: Walking in Scotland and Wales

I started my career in travel in 2006 after choosing to start my first ski season in Italy. One season turned into two, to three and before I knew it I was hooked! I worked on a sixth month basis in each destination allowing me to experience many different countries around Europe. After my seventh season finished I decided It was time to settle and I headed home for Scotland it is here that I found Macs Adventure, somewhere I could work and still pursue my passion for travel!

My other interests include: Skiing and Snowboarding, Music and Film.

Areas of Expertise: Walking in England

I was well and truly bitten by the travel bug when at 15 I saved up the pennies from my Saturday job and booked a flight to Florida to visit family. After that trip a career in travel was definitely on the cards! After going to University in Edinburgh I decided that I needed a ÔbreakÕ and signed up to be a holiday rep for 6 months on the Greek Island of Kos. I only ever intended to do one season but 6 months soon turned into 7 years and 8 countries. I was lucky enough to work and live in many fantastic places such as Italy, Croatia, Egypt and the Dominican Republic. This was a great way to Ôlive like the localsÕ and really get to experience different cultures but the pull home proved too much in the end and I unpacked my (very large) suitcase for the last time in 2008.

Since then I moved back to the UK and worked in the head office for a large tour operator near London before deciding that ÔThere is no place like homeÕ and coming back to Scotland to work for Macs Adventure. After travelling to so many different place I truly believe that Scotland has just as much to offer than anywhere in the world (even the weather is part of the charm!)

Areas of Expertise: Walking in the South of England

My first ÔbigÕ trip was to Thailand on a holiday from university in 1993. That was it, I was hooked! Having completed a Business Degree, worked in Marketing and travelled around Africa and South America I decided to pursue a career in the travel industry. I started out at STA Travel and then worked for a small company creating tailor-made itineraries.

My travels have taken me to every continent except Antarctica. One of my favourite trips was my 9 month around the world honeymoon where, I cruised and dived around the Galapagos Islands, trekked in Patagonia and New Zealand and climbed Mount Kinabalu in Borneo. We did also find some time to relax on the odd unspoilt beach or two in Zanzibar, Costa Rica & Mexico! Most recently, I have climbed Mount Kilimanjaro with my extended family and travelled around Western Australia with my 2 small children in a camper van. Happy days! Other unforgettable experiences include, walking the Inca Trail, trekking in the Annapurna region of Nepal and being stuck in a large hurricane in Honduras.

I am now settled (all be it with permanently itchy feet) in sunny Hove on the South Coast of England where I can be found torturing myself at hot yoga classes, roller skating down the prom and throwing pebbles in the sea with the kids.

Areas of Expertise: Trekking in Nepal and Tanzania