Breadcrumb
Meet The Team
Who are we and how it all started.
Following the purchase of an ex-army Land Rover in the 1980's Donald Riddell started to take visitors into the hills and soon realised that he loved nothing more than to share his knowledge and passion of this amazing area with them. Donald and his wife, Julie, established Highland Safaris in 1991 and with a dedicated team have developed Highland Safaris into a company dedicated to providing high quality and memorable experiences within 250,000 acres of beautiful Highland Perthshire Estates.
Without doubt, the success of Highland Safaris is the result of our uncompromising high level of customer service, driven by the core team at Highland Safaris.
The Team is:
Donald Riddell: Managing Director
Donald's roots are well established in Highland Perthshire with many generations of his forbearer's part of this land - people who have shaped the very fabric of it. Highland Safaris has grown from Donald's passion for and knowledge of the wilderness environment. His huge desire to share this passion means that he likes nothing better that to be out in the hills rather than in the office!
Julie Riddell: Director
Julie was a midwife before joining Donald at Highland Safaris. Quite a contrast but she has risen to the challenge and her ability to understand what potential clients want from a day has allowed Highland Safaris to develop products which are unique, match clients expectations and are sustainable. As a native to Highland Perthshire, Julie loves the areas rich history and heritage as well as beauty of the hills themselves and she also likes to keep the team in order!
Andy Reed: Operations Director
Andy has been with Highland Safaris since 1998 now. 250,000 acres of beautiful wilderness is quite an enviable work place and as well as looking after the team of Safari Rangers, his mechanical skills ensure the Highland Safaris fleet of Land Rovers are well looked after. His enthusiasm as well as his ability to see the funny side of life makes Andy a very fine person to have on the Highland Safaris team.
Colin MacAskill: Highland Safaris Manager
Colin joined the team here at Highland Safaris in May 2010 and is delighted to be based in Highland Perthshire. He is settling in to his new working environment getting to know the diversity of products at Highland Safaris and also the diversity of great characters on the team. Colin is also a keen footy man, although not so keen to admit his team...!
Pete Murch: Trainee Manager
As a native of Aberfeldy, Pete has no problem in sharing his local knowledge and passion for Highland Perthshire with an infectious and natural enthusiasm. You will find him supporting Andy leading the team of Safari Rangers or in the office and if he is not there you will be more than likely to hear him with his contemporary drumming band Impulse - groovy!
Patsy Penny: Receptionist and Retail Assistant
Patsy also is a returnee to Highland Perthshire after many years in the deep South! She is in charge of our Gift Shop and Highland Larder which really enhance the whole experience at Highland Safaris. Patsy doesn't just provide our visitors with a warm welcome, she also keeps The Highland Safaris Gift Shop in good order and also the rest of the team!
Gillian Young: Accounts Manager
Gillian joined the Team in 2005 and has been a key part of the team providing budget and cash flow projections as the business has grown. Her only complaint is that we're not very good at sticking to them!
The Team of Safari Rangers without whose expertise, dedication and passion for this wilderness environment we could not do without:
Bob Noble - Safari Ranger/Instructor
Colin Knox - Safari Ranger/Instructor
Iomhair Fletcher - Safari Ranger/Instructor
Polly Pullar - Safari Ranger/Photographer
Sandy McGill - Safari Ranger/Instructor
Tommy Young - Safari Ranger/Instructor
Highland Safaris Cafe
We mustn't forget all our dedicated cooks, waiters & waitresses who provide fantastic service & produce delicious homemade food on a daily basis in our cafe.
Eileen and Allan Malone @ County Catering
County Catering is a multi award winning company. Eileen never ceases to amaze us with her outstandingly delicious Scottish delicacies. No matter where she has to produce her fayre (and there have been some very unusual ones!) our Hilltop Marquees and Mountain Bothies being the norm. Her attention to detail and creative presentation make her unbeatable.
GIFT VOUCHERS
Excellent gift ideas for any occasion and available all year round.
FREE when you book a Safari
Book a safari and receive your Safari Pass, a booklet of discount vouchers worth over £50 for many fantastic local attractions, restaurants and shops.
“We enjoyed the safari into the hills. We saw hawks, hares and Deer. The Golden Eagle came by when we were having our tea at the Bothy. The telescope was also a big help to spot Deer. We will treasure this experience Thank you for sharing it with us.”
De Bruin family from the Netherlands
