A Thrill Seeker's Guide to Scotland

Frightfully slender and widely exposed to the wild ways of the elements, the Aonach Eagach ridge walk is considered the narrowest and most challenging horizontal ridge in Scotland. A wonderful test of might, this rocky ridge, which lies near Glen Coe and the Devil’s Staircase in the Highlands, calls for some serious ‘scrambling abilities’. Precariously placed pinnacles, ominous brooding slopes, ferociously elevated heights and downright dangerous descent options require a significant amount of skill. Get your wits about you and commit, because after that, there’s no going back.

Those on a perpetual hunt for that perfect wave will be fully aware of Thurso, Scotland’s own surfing hot spot. Situated in Caithness, this dot on the map faces the North Atlantic and is the northernmost place in mainland Scotland, putting it at similar latitudes with Oslo, Moscow and Juneau. Thurso has been on the surfing radar since it first hosted the O’Neill Highland Open of the ASP World Qualifying Series in 2006. Whether braving the glacial temperatures or dodging the razor chunks of ice, those who love a steep face, never-ending running wall and a few surprises here and there, will deem it a surfing utopia. For prime surfing season, visit during late September to early April.

Start at Aberdeen and cycle all the way to Inverness on an epic mountain biking expedition. The kind of trip worthy of any bucket list, this coast-to-coast expedition by Wilderness Scotland features a 350km route. Navigating everything from menacing mountain passes to birch-lined trails, there is no better way to experience the Highlands. Liberating and jam-packed with excitement, you will want to start this seven-day quest all over again the moment you reach the magical Ardnamurchan point.

As pretentious as it sounds, there truly is no better way to witness the unfathomable beauty of Scotland than open canoeing across its countless lochs. Some remote, others glacial, many notorious, the lochs involved go hand in hand with extraordinary views and dramatic sweeping skies. From hardcore canoeing and ascending the occasional mountain peak to camping out on remote islands and beaches under the alluring Scottish stars, you cannot help but marvel at the perfect blend of wilderness and wonder. A truly transformative experience and yet another gem from Wilderness Scotland, forming an intense and personal bond with the North West Highlands is inevitable.

Delightfully dramatic, jagged and immensely powerful, the Black Cuillin are no walk in the park. Thought of as the most sublime and testing mountains in the UK, tackling the teetering peaks is a commendable mission. Those bestowed with rock climbing capabilities can scramble and master the summits within, especially Sgùrr Dearg, a mountain topped by the Inaccessible Pinnacle. This noble pinnacle can only be reached by rock climbing and is comprised of basalt, making it ultra-slippery when wet. For a sensational mountaineering experience with all the trimmings, trek across the Cuillin Ridge.

From boat trips with the sole purpose of dolphin-watching and seeking out birds of prey like sea eagles, ospreys and golden eagles, to admiring pine marten, red squirrels, and badgers, and kayaking amongst seal colonies in the West Highlands, Scotland is just the place for travellers with an attachment to nature and wildlife. Ideal for photographers with a discerning eye, any of the magnificent wildlife adventures from Wilderness Scotland will be a trip worth remembering.