Meryl Carr & Point Northwest

Meryl Carr is the friendly face who will welcome you on your journey of exploration, discovery and enjoyment of the hidden secrets and dramatic beauty of North West Highland. Born in Southern Africa in the country known then as Southern Rhodesia, Meryl enjoyed a childhood of adventures in rural Southern Africa.

Attending an Outward Bound Course in the beautiful and remote Chimanimani Mountains of Rhodesia was a life changing experience, from then on mountain environments influenced Meryl’s life choices.

Working life started in Rhodesia’s Department of National Parks & Wildlife as a Tourist Officer promoting tourism in the country’s diverse National Parks.

But rock climbing and mountaineering soon became a passion.

An apprenticeship served with the friendly, active Mountain Club of Rhodesia ensured that Meryl had the experience and skills to secure a job as an Instructor/Tutor at Ullswater Outward Bound Centre in England’s Lake District when Meryl first traveled to Europe. This experience laid the foundation for a future career of introducing people to wild, remote places, teaching the skills required to give clients the confidence to explore such places themselves and encouraging an appreciation, knowledge and respect for the habitats we pass through.

Meryl’s work with Outward Bound International led to opportunities exploring and working in some dramatic and awe inspiring mountain environments and
working with and amongst many wonderful people from all walks of life.

Three years were spent at Outward Bound Southern Africa’s Centre at Thaba Phatsoa in the foothills of the magnificent and remote Maluti mountains of
Lesotho, a short exchange period at Outward Bound Chimanimani in Zimbabwe, a year at Outward Bound Eskdale in England’s Lake District and three years at Outward Bound Loch Eil, situated just outside Fort William in the Lochaber region of the Western Highlands of Scotland added to Meryl’s experience of working with people in wild areas.

A break in Outward Bound work led to an opportunity of living in and exploring the wonderful mountains of the Western and Eastern Cape of South Africa as well as a short time working in the Giants Castle area of the Drakensberg Mountains of Natal, South Africa.

The last 14 years have been spent working as Countryside Ranger with a Local Authority in the Scottish Highlands. Firstly based in Glen Nevis, at the foot of Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, and then moving up to the North West Highlands to set up and provide a Countryside Ranger Service, serving the communities of magnificent Wester Ross. The focus of a Countryside Ranger’s work is to promote an understanding of and appreciation for the natural environment and biodiversity of the area amongst visitors and local communities.

Point NorthWest
After working in North West Highland for six years Meryl decided to set up a business which provides visitors with the opportunity to explore, discover and enjoy the most stunning part of Scotland.

Meryl holds the Scottish Mountain Leader (winter) Qualification, belongs to the Mountain Leader Training Association, the Scottish Countryside Rangers Association and the International Ranger Federation. She is also a Master Educator for Leave No Trace: Centre for Outdoor Ethics

About Point Northwest

Meryl Carr & Point Northwest