About
ABOUT
Dave Protherough - Tour Guide
Traveling is a pastime for some people, a break from regular life. For me, it is my regular life. As your tour guide, I’ll help you disconnect from your everyday world, so you can immerse yourself in nature and reconnect with yourself.
Kayaker, FatBiker, Outdoor Lover, Nature Appreciator
Hi! My name is Dave Protherough and I have been providing guided sea kayak tours since 2013 now on Islay and recently added fatbike tours as a landbased option. I have loved the outdoors ever since I can remember, and have spent much of my life either in a kayak or on a bike, laterly on fatbikes! As your private tour guide, I’ll share with you my love of the wildlife, the outdoors, and ensure you have a nature-filled adventure to remember.
I have kayaked in many parts of Scotland including, the Summer Isles, Orkney, the Western Isles and Mull as well as many other parts of Argyll. I have also led multi-day trips to the west coast of Sweden and the Summer Isles. I have also been inolved in starting and running the local canoe club on Islay that has been going since 2003.
Fatbiking has also taken me on regular trips to Jura, Dumfries and Galloway and more recently to Arctic Finland for a week exploring the national park near Akaslompolo in the snow.
I have lived on Islay since 2002 and ever since have explored its remoter parts with my partner and a number of dogs. We have built our own home and enjoy the quieter pace of life that is offered here. It is always enjoyable to meet people from far and wide and share stories and experiences.
I have worked in a number of places since we moved here but in 2013 took the plunge to go self employed offering guided kayak tours. More recently I was offered the position of the mobile librarian, a library in a truck! This helps by providing much needed income in the winter, but if I am honest gets in the way of the outdoors in the warmer months! It is however a great way of seeing everyone about the islands of Islay and Jura.
Qualifications;
British Canoeing 4 star leader, now called sea kayak leader
MIAS MTB Leader level 2
REC outdoor first aid and AED training
VHF
Worldhost - Principles of customer service
CPD is maintained in line with governing bodies recommendations.
An active member of the Port Ellen Coastguard team.
I am also currently exploring bike maintance courses and BC's guide modules to add to my skills.