Meet your mountain guide
Will (Willy) founded Mountain Buddies in 2024, though the story began long before that. Growing up in the Yorkshire Dales, he spent his early years fell running and exploring his local hills. The mountain spark came while working in the Himalayas (Nepal) in 2018, and he hasn’t looked back since.
Will is a qualified Mountain Leader and educator with a background that spans Operations Management, Support Work, Youth and Outreach Work. Whatever the role, he’s always found himself connecting with people and sharing his love of the outdoors.
He’s known for being approachable, calm, and a clear communicator, qualities shaped by living and working with guides and communities in places like Tanzania, Uganda, Nepal, Colombia, The USA, India, and Sri Lanka
“Had it not been for Will's wisdom & calming energy, I would have been quite nervous at times. Beyond that he is just a good egg through & through. By the end of the day I felt like I was with a friend of many years.” - Lila
Qualifications
As a geographer, environmentalist, and explorer, Will has always been drawn north. In 2022, he moved from Yorkshire to be closer to the mighty landscapes of Glencoe and the Cairngorms, which now form the heart of his work. He feels incredibly lucky to guide here.
An adventurer through and through, Will is happiest moving through wild spaces: hill and fell running, long-distance running and walking (including the Cape Wrath Trail and Skye Trail to name a few), cycle touring, wild camping, and wild swimming. Most importantly, he loves bringing others along for the adventure.
SOME FAQ's
is it for me?
Will recognises that the outdoor world isn’t always as diverse or welcoming as it could be. With a background in community youth work and six years supporting widening participation and inclusion at universities, he’s passionate about making the hills feel open to everyone. Wherever you’re visiting from, he’ll be just as excited to learn about you as he is to share his knowledge of Scottish flora, fauna, and landscapes
What’s the name about?
Will loves bringing people together, especially outdoors. While working as a support worker for adults with learning disabilities, he was often called “buddy” by one of the people he supported, and the name stuck.
For Will, Mountain Buddies sums up what it’s all about: time in the hills, building confidence, strength, and resilience, and enjoying the adventure, whether that’s one-to-one or shared with others.
Why Scotland? Why the Highlands?
Summer Mountain Leader
Fully insured for all guided activities
Outdoor-specific First Aid
Mountain Training Association Member
Bronze & Silver Course Director with the National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS)
Mountaineering Scotland Member
Will works as a freelance Mountain Leader between Spring and Autumn and absolutely loves it. Whether guiding adults or young people, he brings warmth, good humour, and a calm presence to every day in the hills. He has the following qualifications
