A Spotlight on Provident Sailing

Collaboration, using locally sourced food is one of the most important Provident ethics. As well as exploring the complex marine ecosystem, creating a human ecosystem of producers and business across the islands visited is of vital importance. Provident wants to be part of supporting the livelihoods of those who life in fragile, marginalised communities. They try to make it clear to guests where their food has come from and what it has taken to produce it. Provident aims to be a low plastic-ship, visitors are encouraged to bring reusable bottles and vegetables are purchased wholesale to avoid packaging. New collaboration with fellow Wild Scotland members, to create sustainable and value- led “packages” combining sailing, walking and wild swimming are new products to be tested. Morag is looking too for accommodation that operates sustainably that she can connect with on the land based portions of the sailing experiences.

As a new business, learning about finding the customer base, marketing their products, working with social media are definitely a set of skills needed to develop the business. More guidance to pass to visitors on wildlife and access would be helpful as well as practical ideas on how to be more sustainable and energy efficient are welcomed. A desire to do more for nature and climate change is inherent in the way the business wants to operate, there is a sense of wanting to do the right thing, but needing more help to do it.

Morag wonders if a national incentive scheme to encourage people to travel and choose more sustainable adventure, with a passport to collect points, where people can win vouchers or discounts, might be a way to reduce the rise in private vehicle bound, mass tourism. An idea worth considering.
That help is threefold social-in terms of networking - learning and sharing from like-minded business, economical-access to grant and funds that support staff posts, provide travel grant for staff working in remote locations and to invest in the business that would ensure the quality food produced on islands is subsided, to ensure it is economically viable and environmental needs- to invest in better and more integrated public transport.

Being part of Wild Scotland, sharing its values and a sense of purpose is important to Provident sailing and they want to see more networking and learning experiences delivered to build up the outdoor tourism sector as its contribution to Scotland’s goal to reach net zero.

Provident sailing is a trailblazer in value-led, sustainable tourism. Providing sailing experiences that truly cares for people and nature. They are also conscious that the way they operate their business is itself an exemplar to their guests. In so doing ensures people go away able to make more informed choices about how they should touch more lightly on the environment. They show that business and society can contribute by operating in a way that is more sustainable, to reduce our impact on climate change whilst protecting and nurturing our wildlife.