A full member of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors

All About Us!

Established in 1992 Talisman Mountain Activities are based in and around the Aviemore area and the Cairngorm Mountains National Park.

The guiding service is run by Ron Walker MIC, a Scot born and bred who has been running his Scottish winter skills courses since the late eighties. As well as directing the courses, Ron and his assistant Fi lead and instruct many of the courses themselves. The aim is to ensure a unique personal touch and flexibility.

Climbing in 1982 and still in 2001 and even 2004...!

Born in 1955, he was educated in the central belt of Scotland where his interest in nature and the environment led him to take a degree in biology. Later he was employed within the social work and housing fields, specialising in special needs groups and issues. He has also worked with the disabled, elderly and youth groups. However, his main interests have always been in outdoor pursuits such as walking, skiing and climbing. This he finds essential for keeping things in perspective, and overcoming his fear of heights! In the late eighties Ron moved north to the Highlands to pursue his passion for the mountains, where he later established the mountain guiding company Talisman Activities. 

Mt. Everest 1989

For more than 30 years Ron has walked, climbed and skied in Scotland, the Alps and the Himalayas. He is a full-time UK and International Mountain Leader (IML) and qualified Mountaineering Instructor (MIC).

He is also a qualified ski instructor and a full Member of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI).

The Association of Mountaineering Instructors is the representative body of professionally qualified Mountaineering Instructors in the UK. The Mountaineering Instructor scheme is the United Kingdom’s highest National Governing Body Award (NGB) for instructing mountaineering. Whatever your age or level of skill, you can benefit from a day out with a Mountaineering Instructor Certificate or Mountaineering Instructor Award holder. Mountaineering Instructors (MIC's and MIA's) provide the majority of training and assessment of candidates for the Walking Group Leader Award, the Summer and Winter Mountain Leader Awards and the Single Pitch Award. They also provide technical consultancy and training for a wide range of outdoor activity centres, training schemes and voluntary organisations.

Ron has been running mountain training courses in the Cairngorms since the late eighties.

Namaste!

Often complimented for his patience, understanding and encouragement Ron is well aware that we cannot all be star performers. From being born a left hander and told left is wrong and from his own painful experience after being told he would never hill-walk or climb again following a serious accident in the late eighties he is keen to support and encourage others in their goals and aspirations whatever they are and can often relate to particular problems or fears clients may have. He now offers various strategies to improve the physical and mental performance either by physical training techniques or psychological techniques such as meditation or visualisation and believes in a holistic approach.

Ron is former Cairngorm Rescue Team member and current Visit Aviemore activity member. He is a qualified CIW webmaster and author of the WinterNet Scotland reports website.

Ron has instructed skiing with the SYHA and was a facilitator with the holistic holiday company "Skyros" in the Greek Islands where he encouraged clients to overcome their fears and try new experiences, giving participants a new self confidence and zest for life! He also freelances for other several other well known outdoor companies and guides.

Other members of the Talisman Activities team of Mountain Guides, Instructors and Leaders are chosen as much for their personality and experience as for their qualifications. These include the BMG guides "Smiler" Cuthbertson and Jonathon Preston and Fi Chappell an Aviemore based Winter ML,  International Mountain Leader and SPA climbing instructor. Fi is also registered on the mountaineering instructors scheme and is MIA trained.

'Smiler' Cuthbertson	Fi Chappell

As well as assisting with the woman's perspective, Fi organises our women only courses and group activities. You can view Fi's personal website at www.marmotte.co.uk

See what the newspapers say here!

What The Clients Say

• "had a great time on the winter skills course & certainly learnt a great deal, and should any of your future clients want a personal reference I would be more than happy for you to pass my address to them" Martin S.

• "we felt   inspired...Thomas is interested in progressing towards the  Mountain Leadership and Ice climbing course...we valued your comprehensive advice on   the hill ,wildlife and local history...you encouraged teamwork well and facilitated us all to work constructively...Perhaps most important, however, was your patient instruction, sympathy to individual needs, light humour and personal touch". Father and son Thomas and Robert  P, Winter Skills, Jan. '99.

• Feb '99 Novices Paul, Mike, Garry & Eddie on Winter Skills course in the Cairngorms, Scotland...........Aug '99 Alpinists Paul, Mike & Eddie on  Summit of Mont Blanc, Alps "What a superb trip...a lot easier than the Cairngorms!"

• "Thanks for all your patience, help and encouragement when you were teaching me to ski over the New year". Jeremy Goldbiatt, Thailand!

• "Rock climbing and abseiling We had a great day, you were very patient with us and gave us lots of encouragement, which we really appreciated". Julie, Jane, Lorraine, Lisa, Rona and Yvonne. Elgin.

• "I wish I'd done this earlier". Bob (63) & Brian (57) on Winter Mountaineering snow hole expedition. My two fittest clients!

• "Had a great time. Hopefully I will see you again next year"? Paul Deane, Portland, USA.

• "Your patience and knowledge of the area were invaluable and it's an experience we will never forget". Sandra and Mike, Liverpool. 

• "A big thank you for the abseiling it was really great, but even more than that, thank you so much for helping to give me confidence to paddle over to the Island". Barbara, Surrey. 

• "Thanks again for all your tips and advice, patience and encouragement on the Winter Skills Expedition to Ben Alder". Keith and Joan, Glasgow.

• "We all had a great time and learned a lot as well! The Hill walking club will be back next year, maybe try Ski Mountaineering next"? Fiona and Ian, Haddington.

• "The climbing was exhilarating. A great weekend with a perfect ending". Tim, Bank Of Scotland Hill Walking Club.

• "Thanks for the time explaining the tips for the" Explorers Tricks Of The Trade, Unfortunately, we couldn't postpone filming when you were in Greece. Kate, "Maverick T.V"

• "I hate heights, enclosed spaces, the dark, creepy crawlies, bats, and water! Now I've climbed, abseiled down a mine shaft and paddled out to an island! and I thoroughly enjoyed myself to boot, thanks to your patience and understanding". Liz, London.

• "A great Instructor inspires confidence"-" Good fun, warm excellent company"- "A great warm smile"-" Excellent instruction, I felt totally safe, A man you can trust with your life-Thanks!"- "Your sincerity is dear to see, you are by far the best yet most modest teacher here!" Some Comments from clients in "Atsitsa" Greek Isles!

Our Clients Photo Album can be found here and our latest Newsletter here