Meet James
Welcome to my small business which came into being after deciding to pursue my true passion in life - sharing my love of Scotland’s mountains and wild places with others.
A former fisheries scientist, I have been exploring Scotland's hills and other incredible landscapes for the past 22 years, having first moved here to pursue a career in science. My journey - from mad keen angler and fisheries scientist - to finding professional and personal fulfilment in the mountains, is told in my debut book, A Quest For Fulfilment, published in 2020. Please Contact Me if you would like to buy a (signed) copy.
I hold the following awards:
- Winter Mountain Leader;
- Summer Mountain Leader;
- National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS) Tutor Award;
- Rock Climbing Instructor;
- Climbing Wall Instructor; and
- Trail Cycle Leader.
I am full member of the Mountain Training Association (MTA), the nationally-recognised membership organisation for walking and mountain leaders, climbing instructors and coaches in the UK and Ireland. Full members hold nationally-recognised awards, have been subject to a rigorous training and assessment process, and undertake continued personal development to ensure their skills and experience are up to date.
As well as Scotland, I also love world travel and have trekked and climbed in Morocco, Nepal, Bolivia, Iceland, Norway, Ecuador and Pakistan, summiting peaks to over 6,000 m. Closer to home, I also enjoy spending time exploring the mountains of Wales and the Lake District.
From my home in Aviemore, where I live with my wife, Ellen, I have the Cairngorm Mountains on my doorstep - for us, the result of many years of determined hard work and commitment to achieve our dream, together, having met in Nepal in 2008.
I hope to welcome you very soon.
James Orpwood
Photo credits: Gill McMillan (main picture); Wendell Martin (head and shoulders).