The naturalist tour guide and author shares how he began his walking, wildlife and environmental journeys throughout the countryside of Ireland and the rest of the world.

Few people have been able to create a business around their passions like Terry Carruthers has with Walking Experiences, the wildlife and walking vacation company.

As a ranger in Killarney National Park, his enthusiasm and knowledge of the natural environment prompted tourist’s requests for two to three day private walking tours. This part-time engagement with tourists proved to be the key to his success as a walking guide. The Dublin-born native established his company in 1991 through offering local bird-watching tours in Southern Ireland. The three or four weeks vacation he had was dedicated to week-long walking tours throughout Ireland, and by 1998 he decided to take it on as a full-time job.

A Place Close to His Heart

The first full-time tours covered Ireland and south-west England and have since flourished across many continents; yet he has continued the excursion through the company’s birthplace, County Kerry, Ireland.

The current trip, during the last week of June, starts off on the Dingle Peninsula and explores everything from coasts to peaks. The area offers a unique history of the Gaelic culture as well as archaeological treasures and extensive birding opportunities. This leg of the trip also includes a breathtaking hike to the 1000-foot summit of Great Blasket Island, an area that was Gaelic speaking until as recently as the 1950’s.

The following couple of days incorporate a great deal of history with some extensive hiking through one of Terry’s areas of expertise, Killarney National Park. Crossing the county boundary into Cork presents a wealth of cultural history where you will learn about the effects of The Irish Potato Famine and visit Kanturk Castle. During the last few days, hikers enjoy spectacular views atop the Galtee Mountains and an exquisite visit to the infamous Rock of Cashel before returning to relax in the coastal villages.

This tour does change over time enticing tourists to return to trek new ground in Southwest Ireland.

Why Walk

All the tours are at a slow pace and allow participants to take the time to learn about their natural environment. This structure tends to be very attractive to the regulars, with more than fifty percent return participants. He explains what attracts his clients, “It is the idea of combining exercise with history and flora, then getting back to a nice hotel, being pampered, and having a good meal.”

The nature of a walking holiday is self-selecting, arousing interest in a variety of people. “You wouldn’t sign up for a walking tour if you weren’t interested in being outdoors and meeting people,” Terry pointed out.

“I’ve had a few couples who have met on our tours and are now married.” Terry can even say the same about himself. He jokes, “My wife made the mistake of coming on one of my tours – at the time she was a single free woman and now she’s married.”

Yet, what he finds most intriguing is the differing impact humans have on shaping a landscape, something he incorporates into all his tours.

2008 Tours

The locations of the walks evolve over time. With the exception of County Kerry, he tends to offer the same walk for no more than three or four years. Current locations are as follows:

Kerry & Cork, Ireland, June 22 - 30th

Newfoundland, July 6 - 13th

Scottish Highlands, July 19 - 26th

South Africa, August 17 - 28th

Rhine & Mosel Valley, September 7 - 14th

For more details and pricing information, please see the official website: www.walkingexperiences.com