Welcome to Skylark Guiding! It’s a very small team of just me, Gaby.
I’m a calm, patient, kind, and thoughtful guide and facilitator who loves giving people the best day out in the mountains and seeing others grow in confidence and gain new skills.
I’ve guided individuals and groups in the Cairngorms, Glencoe, Trossachs, the Isle of Arran and the Isle of Skye, as well as the hills and trails around Glasgow.
Find out more about guided hikes, trail runs, personalised trips, and skills courses.
My mission
I set up Skylark Guiding Ltd to provide opportunities for women to explore new places and gain the confidence, skills and knowledge to plan and go on their own adventures.
Although the outdoors should be for everyone, it’s unfortunately still not always perceived to be that way. At the heart of what I do is a desire to make hill walking and trail running more diverse, and to make those I work with feel they belong in the hills.
By offering subsidised tickets, planning activities which are accessible by public transport, loaning kit where possible, and being always open to hearing what I can do to make a event accessible, I hope to reduce some of the barriers women face when getting outdoors. But I probably have some blind spots and am always open to suggestions and feedback .
My background
I am an active hill walker and hill runner with lots of experience of being in Scotland’s mountains in all conditions.
I love talking about food, books, TV, what’s going on in the world, and am interested in people and in learning new things.
I am open-minded, non-judgmental, curious and always grateful for opportunities to learn from others and share experiences. I am passionate about preserving our environment and believe that the more time we spend in nature the more we will do to care for it.
I have over 15 years’ experience working with women’s organisations, facilitating learning, confidence-building and personal development with women of different backgrounds.
My Qualifications
Summer Mountain Leader (2020)
Outdoor First Aid (last renewed in 2020)
British Athletics Leader in Running Fitness (2021)
National Navigation Award Scheme Tutor Award (2022)
Sports Leader UK Level 3 Certificate in Basic Expedition Leadership (2012)
