Cairnvost Howe – North Star runs on the energy, skill and generosity of people who believe that the landscape around Inverness belongs to everyone who lives here. Whether you can give an afternoon a month leading a walk, a modest recurring donation that funds a seat on the outreach minibus, or a partnership that helps us reach communities we have not yet served, there is a meaningful and specific way for you to be part of what we do. We are a small charity — every contribution is visible, nothing is absorbed into overhead, and the people who benefit know exactly where the support came from.
We are always looking for qualified walk leaders — Mountain Leader, SHML or WGL — and equally for logistics, admin and communications volunteers who don't need a hill award to make a real difference to the programme. Training pathways and mentored leader development are available for volunteers who want to work toward a leadership qualification with our support.
A donation of £15 covers one place on the outreach minibus; £60 funds a full safety training day for a participant from an outlying community. Regular giving — however modest — is especially valuable because it lets us plan ahead and commit to communities for a full programme year rather than walking to grant deadlines.
We welcome partnerships with community councils, employers, NHS Highland teams, schools and land managers across the Highland capital area. Whether that means hosting a Pathfinder course at your community hall, funding a dedicated outreach day for your village, or referring patients and clients to our programme, we are always glad to talk about what might work.
We are a small, volunteer-run charity and every message we receive is read by a real person who knows the programme and the communities it serves. Whether you want to join a walk, discuss volunteering or a partnership, find out whether our outreach service reaches your village, or simply ask what kit you need for a first outing on the hill, please do get in touch — we aim to reply within two working days. The contact form below reaches us directly, or you are welcome to write to us by email.
Get in touch