Our aim is to…'provide you with a quality outdoor activity experience utilising the natural heritage of Royal Deeside and the Cairngorms National Park'
 
 
 
 

 

About WalkDeeside Ltd.

WalkDeeside Ltd. was established in 2002 and is a small, friendly, family run business, owned and managed by Alan and Moira Melrose. We offer visitors and clients a quality service and personal attention. We currently have three main areas of work.

Guided Walking Holidays.

This is a major focus for us. Join one of our walking holidays to explore and discover the beauty of Scotland and its rivers, forests, mountains and wildlife. Hear our experienced leaders and guides tell the ‘story’, experience “secret places”, the wonders of nature and the great outdoors.
For more information please look at the detailed descriptions of the walking holiday packages on offer.

Guided Walks, Activities and Courses.

These include:

  • Day trips to the hills and mountains
  • Wildlife watching and environmental appreciation trips
  • Trail cycling
  • Nordic walking
  • Conservation walks, courses and hands-on conservation
  • Tours by car
  • Navigation courses (to NNAS standards)

All with qualified, local guides who provide informative and fun narratives. We can provide comfortable transport to and from your accommodation.

Project Management: Community Development.

WalkDeeside offers experienced management and development services for community development projects, focussing on sustainable use of the environment. We are currently working with:

  • Aberdeenshire Council and the Upper Deeside Community Development Group to manage the Upper Deeside Walking to Health and the Adult Learning and Conservation Projects.
  • South Aberdeenshire Community Health Partnership in developing a Banchory Walking to Health Project
  • Ballater Royal Deeside in developing a local Youth Strategy
  • Upper Deeside Access Trust in detailing some route descriptions for their website, writing interpretative text for leaflets and assisting the Trust to meet their aims of " assisting public access and enjoyment to the area".

If your community or organisation would like more information, please contact info@walkdeeside.com

Who we are

  Alan Melrose, Managing Director, is responsible for the management and direction of the company, and leads many activities personally. Alan has led Leadership Development expeditions for young people to Mongolia, Himalayas, Andes and Mt Kilimanjaro. He is a qualified Mountain Leader, First Aider, Nordic Walking Instructor and Trail Cycling Leader. These skills, as well as his professional qualifications in Education, Community Development and Countryside Management, and his extensive local knowledge, ensure he can – and does – deliver a quality product.

 

  

Stephen Willis came to WalkDeeside as a part-time member of staff having worked as a Countryside Ranger at a variety of locations across Scotland since 2000.  He has worked for various organisations and in some of Scotland’s most inspiring landscapes – from our wonderful coastline to the high tops of the Cairngorms.  Along the way he has developed a wealth of knowledge on our native flora and fauna and likes nothing better than sharing it with others!  Stephen is a keen outdoor enthusiast and spends his time canoeing, mountain biking, snowboarding, walking and surfing.  He is a qualified first aider and mountain leader.

 
Lindsay Melrose is a part-time instructor who has travelled the world extensively. She has recently returned from Sri Lanka and her first Expedition as an Assistant Leader with World Challenge. She is a keen mountaineer, working through her Mountain Leader qualifications, is a qualified First Aider and also an experienced Community Development and Youth Worker. In addition, Lindsay works with the team to develop the publicity material and website updates.
 


David Walker is financial and business advisor to the Company and has a wealth of business experience. He is a keen mountaineer (Munroist) and is knowledgeable and passionate about Scotland.

 
Moira Melrose is a Director of the Company. Not involved outdoors, she runs our ‘nerve centre’ and also runs her kiltmaking business (kiltmaker@hotmail.co.uk).
   

Jenny Roberts is Administrator and looks after the smooth running of the office. Jenny brings a wide range of IT and computing skills to the company having worked previously as an IT Lecturer in her native Lancashire. Voluntary work with a Venture Scout group and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award are additional skills and interests that Jenny brings to WalkDeeside.