Impact on landscape and culture

Environmental impact is a key criteria for consideration during every site-specific risk assessment that we carry out.  Venues that we use regularly will be monitored to ensure that man-induced erosion is not occurring over time. 

Large scale charity events can be a vital way of raising money for good causes.  We will only support such events that are very carefully managed and make use of well built paths and tracks that can cope with high numbers of people over a short period of time.

The history and culture of the Highlands is very important to locals and visitors alike. Boots N Paddles will seek to actively promote our cultural heritage and will not participate in activities which threaten to erode that rich heritage.

Economic sustainability

Boots N Paddles aim to make profits, and we make no apologies for this. By operating a private enterprise in a responsible way we bring a lot of benefit to the economy of rural areas and help to ensure that these communities remain viable. Without profits there are no jobs, no payments to suppliers and less personal development opportunities for local people and visitors.

It is not just our personal ethics which encourage us to minimise our impact on the environment, it makes sound business sense.

To see our own Green Policy please click here:

Leave No Trace

Boots N Paddles is a big supporter of the Leave No Trace Centre for Outdoor Ethics.

All our trips seek to minimize the negative impacts on the environment we travel in, both to the wildlife and other users who are living in or are out enjoying our fantastic Highland landscape.

We can give advice and provide awareness training for your own use of the outdoors ranging from specific advice for open canoe expeditions, to generic awareness and appreciation of how to reduce your impact while out having fun in the outdoors.  Whether you are part of a Duke of Edinburgh Bronze group on your first trip, or a Mountain Leader with a keen interest in helping your groups to be more mountain friendly, we can run a course for you.

Further information about the Leave No Trace organisation and programs go to www.lnt.org

Contact us for details about LNT awareness workshops and trainer courses anytime!

Scottish Wildlilfe Trust

Boots N Paddles is proud to support the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

Formed in 1964, the Scottish Wildlife Trust is a membership-based registered charity with the objective to “advance the conservation of Scotland’s biodiversity for the benefit of present and future generations.”  Their work is underpinned by a 25-Year Vision to re-establish: “a network of healthy and resilient ecosystems supporting expanding communities of native species across large areas of Scotland’s land, water and seas.  The Trust's main activities focus on: managing 123 wildlife reserves and undertaking practical conservation tasks; influencing and campaigning for better wildlife-related policy and action; and, inspiring people to enjoy and find out more about wildlife through our education and engagement programmes.

For more information about the Trust and its activities go to the following website: www.swt.org.uk