Thistle Trekking -

lee major

Just returned from a wonderful weeks walking on the beautiful Outer Hebrides with Thistle Trekking.From the start everything was perfectly organised by Ed our Tour Manager and Harry our walk leader.They both had so much passion for nature and the great outdoors it shone through and enthused us all.It was a small group of seven walkers from the UK,Australia, Sweden and France,and we bonded as one as the week went on.All the accommodation was brilliant,and all seven met up each evening for our meal,and reflect on the day.A nice touch was Ed meeting us on some incredible beaches,and brewing us up a tea or coffee with biscuits on the trek.I'm looking forward to my next Trek with Thistle Trekking in the future. If you are looking to explore Scotland on foot don't hesitate to book with this company,they are amazing.

Amanda Lostroh

It’s hard to describe just how fantastic the Hebridean Way was, it was beautiful walking! Thistle Trekking delivers time after time, the guides and trek managers are professional, passionate about what they do, good fun and nothing is too much trouble. I highly recommend if you’re thinking of hiking in Scotland that you look no further than Thistle for a trekking adventure, you will not be disappointed.

Diane Caron

Thistle Trekking, LTD
www.thistletrekking.co.uk
David Battle – Owner

DETAILED REVIEW
2 ½ week vacation to the UK. I wanted to get outside in Scotland to really experience the highlands. I researched trekking companies extensively looking for a company that would check off all the boxes for me.
Safe- for single female travel
Variety- multiple excursions to choose from
Luggage transfer
Nightly accommodations
An experienced guide

Research: internet searching and catalog requests. There are many companies to choose from.
I chose- Thistle Trekking, LTD- This company stood out in all areas.
Customer Service: All questions are answered directly by the owner/lead contact person. No question is silly or ignored. Self-guided paperwork with step-by-step instructions and Q & A. A detailed information packet follows as the trip gets closer. Packing List; essentials; as well as a “training for the trails” suggested workout guide.
The trip includes a support van that transfers your luggage from point A to point B and is available to group members if they choose to skip a particular section of the days trek.
Staff: Each Trek (West Highland Way & Great Glen Way back-to-back) provided 2 support staff. A trail guide and a trek mgr. who drives the van. The support staff for my treks were outstanding.
trail guide: They are very conscientious about safety – never letting you get too far ahead or left behind. There was guidance of proper trekking pole use and better hiking posture. The support comes with detailed knowledge of hiking/hill walking and the history of areas traveled through. There was all manner of facts both humorous and historical.
Trek Manager: They are tasked with making sure everything goes smoothly. They try to anticipate issues that can arise (lost luggage/delayed luggage) and go above and beyond to help sort it out. Very accommodating and again I was struck by the level of service provided.

Day to Day:
Everything you need to know is provided in your paperwork package.
My experience
Accommodations: I chose B & B’s and offered to share if there was another group member who needed a roommate. It’s important to note that you are staying in small Scottish villages and there are places where luxury services are limited. I.e., high speed internet – spotty in places but overall good. Some locations were more upscale than others, but all the accommodations were very good. A breakfast was provided each day.
We would meet at a place in town and the guides would meet us. The trail guide would show us the mapped route for the day with elevation and expected time to complete the day. They would also mention a particular section that was more challenging or if it was relatively flat. Great necessary information.
We would take a break whenever anyone needed it, and lunch was eaten trailside (packed lunch from the B & B or something purchased in-town) or at a café – regular stop along the way. The day ended with us meeting up with the support driver who would trek in to meet us, and we would go to a café or pub and wait for all the members of the group to come in from the day.
Meals: Reservations are generally made for the group in advance at a local pub/restaurant daily. You are not required to join, but it is encouraged as it really does add value to the whole trip. The meals were varied, and the food offerings were different almost nightly, and were very good. This gave the group a chance to get to know one another better over a meal and pint.
The final night of the trek the group gets together with the Trek Guide and Trek Mgr. and talk about the trip in general and share our contact info with others.
For reference my guides were:
West Highland Way: Ian Savage – Trail Guide
Ian Howells – Trek MGR
Great Glen Way: Aidan Robinson- Trail Guide
Cecilia Mariani –Trek MGR

David Sayler

I've taken 3 different treks with Thistle Trekking. All have been outstanding. They provide well trained guides. They also have a trek manager who both takes your luggage to the next stopping point, and can provide support should you decide not to walk a particular day. I'm already signed up for my next trip with them!

R McL

My Isle of Arran trek was the fourth that I have taken with Thistle, this Trek along with the previous three have been very well organized and most importantly, a lot of fun! On the treks I have been on, the party has had, a Manager ( auxiliary guide ) and a separate guide, together with a back up mini bus, this allows for the maximum flexibility and security. Everyone I have ever met from Thistle have been full of enthusiasm, together with a wonderful caring attitude , I recommend them without hesitation

Jean

This year with Thistle Trekking I have enjoyed the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs hills and mountains and most recently Lochnagar and Upper Deeside. This followed Ben Nevis and the Arran Costal Path in 2023 and the Skye Trail in 2022, not to mention basic and intermediate navigation courses.

All the guides with Thistle Trekking have been great and I appreciate picking up tips on using my poles more effectively and how to better plot a route through boulders and rockier ascents. In particular I have become more comfortable with river crossings.

The guides are flexible taking into account the group and the conditions. During Lochnagar and Upper Deeside week, David was able to accommodate doing a couple more Munros rather than the shorter day itinerary, which was a fantastic experience.

I am looking forward to more Munros on the Glencoe & The Buachailles trip in September and already have 2025 planned selecting from the many options available for both long distance treks and the hills and mountains.

Martin Thornton

Cape Wrath Trail - 3 weeks of bog hopping couldn't have been better! Well supported by knowledgable guides. Accommodation excellent and the vehicle support enabled me to complete a trip I have been wanting to do for a long time. (It helped that the weather was brilliant - it might have been different in the pouring rain - but there’s not a lot they can do about that.) I would happily recommend Thistle! Thanks!

Col Hazel

Booked directly through Thistle Trekking website. David helped organise the tour with Sam, our tour guide. Paid deposit first to secure the booking, then the remaining amount just before the holiday.

Sam (gentleman in the red shirt in the photos) is incredibly knowledgeable about Ben Nevis and the surrounding area - this weekend was his 6th time up Ben Nevis! He taught us little tricks and tips to help preserve energy throughout the entire climb and was very adaptable to the group's pace. He is very outgoing and loves what he does, which made the adventure even more valuable. Thank you Sam for your encouragement and guidance, and for making our holiday in Fort William a brilliant one.