Lanarkshire tourism company increases customer base by 40% after funding award

Business Gateway

Founded by Alastair Ewen in 2016, Aspen Outdoors is committed to sharing the very best of Scottish scenery to visitors far and wide. From hillwalking and hiking to bushcraft and navigation courses, the range of activities on offer are well suited to those looking to immerse themselves in the outdoors and nature.  

A Duke of Edinburgh Award Approved Activity Provider, the business has also started running guided walking holidays, bringing together accommodation, transport and guiding.  

The grant that Business Gateway signposted us to was a complete game-changer for us, and has enabled us to expand our operations significantly. We can now provide canoe day trip experiences and multi-day canoe expeditions across Scotland.

Alastair Ewen, founder, Aspen Outdoors

How Business Gateway has helped

Having successfully restarted activities following the challenges of COVID, Alastair was looking to expand Aspen’s offering to a wider audience and approached Business Gateway in 2023 for support on growing his operations.    

Through Business Gateway, Alastair benefitted from one-to-one support from a dedicated business adviser, as well as advice on hiring and training, and Aspen now has a core team of 9 employees    

Alastair also worked with an expert marketing consultant who helped him develop strategies to effectively market Aspen and the tours it provides, particularly through public relations and social media.    

Alastair’s adviser also helped him apply to the North Lanarkshire Council Business Growth Grant, through which he was successfully awarded almost £10,000. This went towards the purchase of eight canoes and a canoe trailer, allowing Aspen to deliver water-based expeditions to young people undertaking their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.    

Alastair Ewen, founder, Aspen Outdoors, said: “The grant was a complete game-changer for us and has enabled us to expand our operations significantly. We can now provide canoe day trip experiences and multi-day canoe expeditions across Scotland.”   

The funding also went towards the cost of attending the Educational Travel Consortium Conference in America in February 2025, which Alastair hopes will help to develop the team’s knowledge of the American travel market.  