Boots N Paddles is an outdoor activity outfit run by Mike Dunthorne with bases in Inverness and Aviemore. Our main strength lies in being a completely mobile set-up: not being tied to a single base means that we can use the whole of the Highlands as our ’workplace’ giving a huge variety of venues, whatever the sport.

Our goal is to help you to discover the fantastic Scottish outdoors in a fun, safe and active way. No prior experience or training is needed and we will provide all the equipment you need.

Our client base is hugely varied, ranging from school and youth groups, families or individuals on holiday, to stag and hen parties and corporate groups.

Our instructional staff all come highly recommended by friends in the outdoors and they all share our passion for Scotland and the Highlands. There are endless possibilities for playing in the great outdoors, whether that be chasing an adrenalin rush or relaxing with some tranquil wildlife exploration.

We can help you find accommodation in the area, or leave that to your discretion. Provided you have appropriate grounds for the activities in question we can even bring Boots N Paddles to your doorstep.

Calum Rogerson

In March 2009 we welcomed Calum to the Boots N Paddles team.

Calum joined us as a permanent addition to the office staff in March 2009. He left the financial services industry after 14 years with a large financial services provider, much of that time being spent as a project manager in Marketing (Customer Research Department). The opportunity arose to join Boots N Paddles and he jumped at the chance to get involved in an industry he loves.

He enjoys nothing more than the mountains, mountain bikes and paddling canoes or sea kayaks.

Calum is one of our Bookings Co-ordinators, with additional marketing and website responsibilities but gets involved in many different aspects of the business.  When he can find the time he also works towards getting some activity qualifications too, the first of which is now under his belt (Summer Mountain Leader).

Adrian Hopkins (senior instructor)

Ade spent 7 years in the armed forces before deciding on a career in the outdoor activity business.  He became an outdoor instructor in 2005, working for us for the first time in 2006 and has been a regular ever since.  With boundless enthusiasm, a great coach and always having a smile for everyone, regular customers often ask for Ade again and again.

He does a bit of everything, the more extreme the better!!  Despite being an extremely competent climber and canoeist, with sea kayaking now gaining momentum, he's always looking for something new and adrenalin-fuelled to try...the latest being gorge-boarding; a combination of gorge swimming and body surfing.  You never know it might just catch on!

Ade will be back in the Spring of 2011 working for us as a full-time seasonal instructor.

This core team of staff is supported throughout the year by around 30 experienced freelance instructors who we call on regularly.  A great team by all accounts!

Pam Harvey

Pam's background is mainly in Sales, Event Management and Customer Service, in which she gained from working within the Pharmaceutical Industry and Media Sales Industry for 12 years. She's joined us in a Business Support role, similar to that of Calum's, dealing with customer enquiries, building relationships with partner businesses and office administration duties, amongst other things.

She enjoys nothing more than getting out into the wilderness with family and friends, walking, cycling, beach combing and climbing hills.  Pam feels fortunate to have lived in the Highlands most of her life and yet still appreciates the stunning natural scenery and the many pursuits our landscape offers us all – young or old.  Now that she's joined Boots N Paddles, her aim is to become a bit more adventurous with canoeing first on her list.

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