Fiona Coats was brought up on the wild West Coast of Scotland on the family sheep farm. For many years she enjoyed working on the farm and living by the Atlantic Ocean. She failed rather dismaly in the academic department at school, preferring to wonder how the black board was constructed and was school really necessary in the grand scheme of things. She would also gaze out of classroom windows and dreamt of doing something constructive with her hands and to helping people.
She arrived in Aviemore in 1984 with only enough money for two weeks Bed & Breakfast, not realising it was to be her new home, her new life and her new occupation for the next 22 years. After various jobs including Bar work, Nanny and Ski Instructor, Fiona started up her own business - Highland Discovery Tours. In the summer months she provides a very personalised range of sightseeing trips around the Highlands and Islands either in private groups or large coach groups.
Fiona has even written a guide book on winter storm bound days tucked away in her loft – called the Heart of the Highlands of Scotland.
In the winter months she does property renovation and ski instruction.
Now a qulaified tour guide this past year (just as well as she has been guiding for 15 years). and a member of the Highlands & Islands Tour Guide Association.
Fiona, her husband and two boys live in the capital city of the north - Inverness. She still has a passionate love for the outdoors and animals.
In her spare time you will find her doing charity work, mountain biking, renovating properties and learning her bagpipes (out of ear shot!)
