Magazine

We can’t quite believe we’ve hit the 100th edition of our Meander Magazine already. Time flies when you're having fun! For this anniversary edition, we wanted to reflect on our journey so far, and talk to the people who know Meander better than anyone else; our co-founders, Jill and Steve.

The Nordic region, comprising Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, is a land of natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture. In this article, we’ll take you on a journey through some of the most thrilling and unique adventures the North has to offer—experiences that will not only push your limits but also leave you with lasting memories of one of the world’s most beautiful and rugged regions.

Wildlife photographer David Dinsley takes us behind the lens and tells the fascinating stories behind capturing his favourite shots.

There are few places as beautiful and serene as Scotland’s lochs, stretching vastly between rugged mountains and forests. From secluded self-catered cabins to five-star luxury hotels, we’re taking a meander through some of the most enchanting, memorable and charming loch-side stays throughout Scotland. Come with us on an exploration through these waterside retreats, from the Bonnie banks of Loch Lomond to the peaceful waterside of Loch Nell. 

Following on from our Meanderer’s Guide to Aberdeen, we’re exploring the riverside city of Dundee, found on the edge of the River Tay on Scotland’s East coast. Beyond its unique and rather stunning waterfront views, the city is rich with a modern urban culture that’s blended with a historic past. It’s a city that celebrates the arts, from the famed V&A museum to the vibrant street art and contemporary galleries, making it the perfect place for an urban stroll. Alongside this, an array of scenic spots, beautiful beaches, and outdoor adventures are accessible nearby with sunsets that never disappoint, living up to its namesake ‘Sundee’. Read on to find out more about some of the hidden gems Dundee has to offer, its must-see spots, and best coffee shops!

'Alex Staniforth is a record-breaking adventurer, ultra-endurance athlete, author and charity founder from Chester who is no stranger to overcoming challenges. By the age of 19 he had already survived the two biggest disasters in Mount Everest history, in two consecutive years. However, his biggest challenges have been closer to home: with mental ill health, epilepsy, stammering and bullying since school. He is the fastest person to climb all 100 UK county tops - covering 5,000 miles by human power in 72 days - and has raised over £100,000 for charity, being awarded the Pride of Britain Granada Reports Fundraiser of the Year 2017 and a Points of Light award from the Prime Minister in 2023. Alex has authored two books ‘Icefall’ and ‘Another Peak’, and in 2020 founded a national charity, Mind Over Mountains, to restore mental well-being through nature.'

Gilly McArthur describes herself as "a cold water swim coach, presenter, writer, and illustrator with a passion for ice, climbing, community and well-being." Throughout the past 20 years of Gilly working in the outdoors industry, she has mastered a fine skill of bringing people together. Whether it's a tight-knit men's swimming club, or a grand get-together of trad-climbing women, big or small, Gilly is a complete expert on creating warm, friendly, safe spaces for people to assemble and enjoy the outdoors.

From sailing the Atlantic Ocean solo, to swimming the length of Britain, we asked Jasmine Harrison what drives her to take on these monumental challenges, plus how she's prepping for her biggest adventure yet: a solo sail across the world.

Scottish Highlands local, Sophie Nicholson, shares with us her favourite "do-able" mountain meanders.

For the final Q&A in our Rewilding series, we caught up with James Shooter; Lynx ambassador for SCOTLAND: The Big Picture and host of the Rewild Podcast. Read on to find out more about the benefits of having the lynx integrated back into nature, their history within the Scottish landscape and how we can help aid Scotland’s rewilding mission.

Sammantha Kinghorn is an internationally renowned wheelchair racer, having competed in the Paralympics, and the Commonwealth Games. Not only that, she is now one of the newest additions to the fantastic team of Countryfile presenters. Read on to find out how Sammi began on her racing journey, what it takes to prepare for championships like the Paralympics, and how she’s finding her new role with Countryfile.

This week, we were lucky enough to chat with Kirsten about the Beaver for the second Q&A in our Rewilding series. Kirsten is the beaver ambassador at SBP so, to find out more about our relationship with these animals, we knew she’d be perfect to speak to. Read on to find out more about how they have integrated back into nature, why they're so important to Scottish rewilding and how to spot one in the wild!

Following the launch of our collaboration with SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, and the release of our new Rewilding Collection, we wanted to do a deep- dive into the animals that feature on our rewilding tees and sweats. We caught up with Tara Mann who is SBP’s ambassador for the Red Squirrel. Whilst this is a native species to Scotland, the red squirrel faces challenges as a species that prevent them from thriving, despite their importance to our ecosystem. Read on to find out more about the squirrel's struggles and what we an do to help the situation.

We're back with another Highlands Guide and this time we're headed to Wester Ross, including the famous Applecross, Ullapool, Torridon and Plockton. We have curated this guide to highlight the top-spots in Wester Ross, whether you're searching for an adventurous climb up Stac Pollaidh, looking for the Highlands' best seafood spots or seeking a relaxing stroll through Inverewe Gardens. Wester Ross is dynamic, with fun to be had for all ages and interests, so read the full article to find out more about our top-picks.

Joshua Adeyemi, otherwise known as Tales by Josh, is an award-winning outdoor enthusiast, and the co-founder of Black Scottish Adventurers (BSA), a community interest company that aim to introduce more ethnic minorities to the outdoors in Scotland. We were lucky enough to catch up with Josh, to find out more about his work with BSA, how he first began on his adventuring journey, and what his top adventures are.

Scotland, with its breath-taking landscapes and storied history, offers a myriad of remote and unique accommodations for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Whether you dream of staying in a secluded island cottage, a stylish shed on the edge of a loch, or even a quirky off-grid pod, there's a perfect retreat waiting for you. Here, we explore some of the most enchanting remote places to stay in Scotland, each providing an unforgettable blend of nature, tranquillity, escapism, and adventure.

We recently caught up with eco-adventurer, and founder of Climate Explorers, Isaac Kenyon, to chat about the importance of not only getting outdoors, but making sure we are mindful and caring for the planet when we do so. Read on to find out about how Isaac first got started on his eco-adventuring journey, the inspiration behind what he does, and what we can do to better the way we adventure.

As the warmer months finally creep closer, what better a time to try out wild swimming. Trying out a new hobby can be daunting, especially when it involves being submerged in cold water after these past few months in hibernation, so, we’ve asked cold water coach, Gilly McArthur, to share some suggestions with us on all things wild swimming at this time of year.

Mark Agnew is a British adventurer, writer, speaker and journalist. In the summer of 2023, Mark and his team, the Arctic Cowboys, became the first people to kayak the Northwest Passage and Mark then went on to win ‘European Adventurer of the Year’ 2023. We talk about Mark Agnew’s inspirations, close encounters with nature, charity work, and exciting plans for the future.

Aberdeen's super close proximity to the breath-taking surrounding countryside makes it a great place to visit if you’re the outdoorsy type but still want to start your day with good coffee and a city stroll. Not sure where’s the best place to find said good coffee? Well, here’s our Meanderer’s Guide to the top spots to visit, and things to do, in and around Aberdeen to inspire your next adventure.

Scotland’s Black Isle is home to a blend of some of the most photo-worthy Highland scenery and nature-spots, as well as an array of visit-worthy attractions. From Fortrose’s Rosemarkie beach and Chanonry Point’s dolphin-spotting opportunities to the historic, but also eerily mystical, Clootie Healing well and Pirate’s Graveyard. To make sure you get the most out of a visit to the Black Isle, we have compiled a whistle-stop tour of the region’s must see spots, whether you’re looking for a full day trip of activity or just searching for some good stops to break up a road trip. The Black Isle accommodates memorable moments for the adventurers, traditional sites and stories for the historians, and top-tier places to stop for Scottish grub and pub for everyone!

Last weekend, we had the pleasure of spending the morning with Imogen Russon-Taylor, the founder of Kingdom Perfumes, Scotland’s inaugural perfume house. Imogen led us on a journey through the narrative of Kingdom, unveiling the roots of the brand's inspiration and the meticulous craftsmanship involved in sourcing and blending its signature unisex fragrances. Throughout our conversation, Imogen emphasised the art of storytelling through scent, a philosophy perfectly encapsulated in her mission to 'bottle Scotland.' Read on to hear more about the origins of Kingdom Perfume, the creation of sustainable scents and what it takes to make a celeb-approved fragrance!

Determination, Resilience and a love for the outdoors. These are all essential qualities for the Scottish adventure-filled pastime; ‘Munro Bagging’. What does bagging actually mean? Scotland has an abundance of Munros (282 peaks to be exact) and essentially, as soon as you’ve climbed one and reached the summit, you can tell all your pals that you ‘bagged that Munro’. The challenge attracts thousands of climbers every year and luckily, there are routes for every ability to try since the Munros vary wildly in terms of landscape, accessibility and difficulty. Whilst many require experience or equipment, there are also plenty of beginner-friendly climbs which we’ll run through in this article.

Our co-founder, Steve, is a major fan of shark-spotting and has himself, partaken in a Basking Shark excursion off the coast of Coll. This meant we were beyond excited when we had the opportunity to talk with Shane Wasik, wildlife photographer and owner of Basking Shark Scotland. Not only are Basking Shark Scotland a leader in ethical wildlife tours, but have also developed a selection of tours and experiences that vary in length and activities for all adventurers. It was super-interesting to hear more from Shane about how the company got started, the scientific contributions that they strive to make with their work, and about the friends like Dangerous Dave that they have made along the way...

Whether you’re a local Londoner or a seasonal visitor, you likely spend your free time in London, exploring all that the bustling city has to offer. It's easy to forget about green spaces when surrounded by concrete ones, but don’t discount opportunities to explore the natural wonders that lie right outside of this vibrant metropolis. The outskirts of the city offer both tourists and locals the opportunity to seek a refreshing escape without venturing far beyond London’s doorstep. Either by train or by car, there are a variety of beautiful outdoors destinations to explore. Here are 10 micro-adventures to inspire some escapism away from the city, all within an hour journey from England's capital.

The small seaside town of Oban is located on the west coast of Scotland. Nestled in a sheltered bay, Oban has become a popular tourist destination thanks to its beautiful scenery, proximity to the islands and attractions such as the Oban Whisky Distillery. Beaches line the coast to either side of the town and the island of Kerrera provides a buffer against the Atlantic ocean, making the bay of Oban a great destination for sailboats, cruises and even the occasional dolphin or whale. 

What a year it’s been! 2023  has been another action packed year with so much happening from new product launches, onboarding new awesome ambassadors, inspiring events and much more.  We have loved looking back at the achievements throughout the past year and are delighted to share some of our 2023 highlights with you all…

Our good friend and Meander brand ambassador Tristan Cameron Harper is a Scottish Mountain Guide, Stone Carver, ex professional Ice Hockey player, and overall awesome guy! When he told us about an upcoming bucket list trip to Nepal we were more than happy to give him one of our Recycled Puffers to test on his travels. While in Nepal, Tristan put together a handy travel guide filled with helpful insights and tips

If you can learn to ski in Scotland you can ski anywhere! You may have to dodge the odd rock or tuft of grass and put up with the sometimes icy winds, but the high of skiing on your home turf is something that never gets old. It is a lot cheaper than a trip to Meribel and with last winter's exceptionally mild season in the Alps, a last minute trip to Scotland may get you that snow fix. We have a rundown of the best places to ski in Scotland.

Get ready to swap city hustle for the quiet hum of the great outdoors. From treehouse retreats to eco-lodges off the beaten path, we're diving into accommodations that make nature your roommate. From Pine Martens and Basking Sharks in Scotland, to Bears in Romania and an underwater bedroom in Tanzania, where you can literally sleep with the fishes, there really is something for everyone.

We’re delighted to announce that our new pop up store at Coal Drops Yard, London is officially Open! Coal Drops Yard has been on our radar for quite some time & we’re delighted to be situated here over the festive season! If you’re not familiar with this area, Coal Drops is situated next to London St Pancras, and has established itself as a cool shopping area. Our Meander pop up sits amongst some awesome brands, including Paul Smith, Margaret Howell, the Outsiders Store to name a few! 

Savannah Sachdev is a brilliant sportswoman with an 800+ day run streak, having run marathons and most recently completed an ultramarathon through the Dolomites. This is the basis upon which she has founded her predominately female-led running community who run at their own pace and often towards various London “QWUASAANT” spots. Determination, generosity, and patience for oneself (to name a few) define her as a very real and formidable woman. We recently caught up with Savannah to find out what keeps her going. 

Tucked away in the far reaches of Scotland, the Highlands are like a magnet for all kinds of wanderers, whether you're a wildlife fanatic, a history buff, or just a thrill-seeker. With such a vast and stunning landscape to explore, it's no wonder you might feel a bit lost when you first arrive. But don't worry, we've put together the Meander teams favourite spots to guide you in the right direction.

We love to stock fellow Scottish brands within our Meander stores and one of those brands, TBCo., has flourished in popularity over recent years. We were luck enough to speak with co-founder and CEO of TBCo., Emma MacDonald who, in this article, delves into the behind-the-scenes of building her successful brand, the company's commitment to organisations like 1% for the Planet & 1% for the People, and advises budding entrepreneurs on how to ensure their business has a positive societal impact.

Last week, we were lucky enough to be joined by Peter Cairns; photographer, and the Executive Director and co-founder of Scotland The Big Picture. Peter took us on a deep-delve into the current state of Scotland's eco-system; what we’ve done to it, how we’ve done it, how ‘rewilding’ can make a considerable difference in restoring our natural habitat, and what we can do as individuals to attempt to help drive change.

Embarking on a journey with your faithful furry companion is a joy that only fellow dog lovers truly understand. Scotland, with its breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and warm hospitality, offers an array of dog-friendly hotels that promise an unforgettable experience for both you and your four-legged friend...

Whilst we all love adventuring, I think most of us fall victim to a sparse backpack of Evian, cereal bars and if you’re lucky, a slightly squashed and re-moulded ham sandwich. Adventuring can easily end up accompanied by sub-par provisions that leave us longing for the hot meal we’ll find at home later on. Someone who has figured out how to adventure better is Harrison Ward, dubbed fellfoodie on social media, Harrison merges the comfort of warm, well-cooked meals with the freedom of being able to meander as he does so. By sharing these meals on the move, fellfoodie has amounted to 22 thousand followers who are keen to get inspired by Harrison’s journey, voice and good food… 

The Old Post Office Café and Gallery, situated in Kincraig (and a ten minute drive from the heart of Aviemore), has transcended its former role and has become an integral and well-known hub at the heart of the Cairngorms. Speaking with Toni Vastano, the owner, himself, provides a deeper insight to the heart and soul of the region, the unique role his café plays in bringing together the lives of residents and visitors alike.

Wild swimming has really taken off in recent years, with more and more people embracing the cold waters and reaping the benefits from it. It’s well known that being outdoors and exercising in green spaces is good for you, but we shouldn’t overlook the blue spaces and all the amazing ways a wee dip can benefit us too.

We’re excited to announce that we are about to embark on our first ever equity crowdfunding journey and our pre-registration is officially open for Meander customers. 

We are delighted to announce our newest Meander Ambassador, John Barclay, former Scotland Rugby captain and now television commentator. Beyond his rugby career, John loves being able to travel as a product of his recent involvement in the world of whiskey, talks of his love for dog walking and sea-dipping, and maintains his continual involvement with theMy Name’5 Doddiefoundation. 

We are very excited to have him on our team!

The Scottish Highlands are currently battling against one of the largest wildfire the UK has ever faced. Find out more about the challenges being faced by our beautiful homeland and what you can do to help protect our Highland heritage, the wildlife that habitat there, and the communities that are being affected.

Dressing comfortably and practically in Scotland's unpredictably shifting climate isn't always an easy task. With advancements in 37.5 technology, we have a solution to help you embrace all of Scotland's varying weather conditions, whether you're hiking through mountains, exploring historical sites, or meandering through Edinburgh's cobbled streets.

It’s that of year again when where we’re racking our brains trying to think what on earth do we buy for the awesome dads in our lives! We’ve put together our top picks from the Meander store to give you some inspiration. Alongside our own collection of Meander gear that’s designed for the stylish outdoor lover, we’ve also highlighted some of the other brands that we stock, who share our values and design ethos, all of which we sell in the Meander store.

There are so many incredible distilleries around Scotland for you to visit, each with its own unique story to tell and whisky to drink. With so many to choose from, it may be tough finding where to start. Here's our pick of a few of the distilleries we highly recommend for a great whisky weekend away.

Traditional Scottish Bothies are small cabins located in remote locations across Scotland that provide shelter for hikers and explorers. Some are in stunning locations and have led many of us to harbour the fantasy of a relaxing remote stay with family or friends. The reality can be a bit different as whilst they are free to use and don’t require booking, there is no guarantee of getting the place to yourself or that really relaxing weekend you were looking for. 

Wild camping is one of the best ways to connect with and experience the outdoors in Scotland. We’ve put together a guide for those looking to help those who may be starting out their wild camping hobby or those just looking for the next spot. Click below to find your next Scottish Adventure.

This weekend marked the second annual Gleneagles Great Adventure Race (3 years after the first edition due to Covid). As a fellow outdoor-loving Scottish brand, we were lucky enough to be asked by Gleneagles if we would be interested in being a brand partner, and possibly even entering a team for this year's race. Since it was Gleneagles, and because the

We’ve spoken to quite a few highly accomplished adventurers for the magazine before, but when we recently caught up with Miles Hilton-Barber our whole team felt inspired and moved by his incredible story and words of wisdom. At the age of 21 Miles was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a genetic eyesight condition and has been blind for most of his life. At the age of 50 he decided to radically change his mindset and not let his circumstances hold him back and has since gone on to break multiple records, flown from London to Sydney, ran polar and desert ultra-marathons, raced cars and boats, climbed mountains and dived with sharks.

If you’re thinking about having a more active holiday this year and getting out and exploring by bike sounds ideal, why not stay a little closer to home and check out the huge variety of cycling routes Scotland has to offer. From bikepacking to exploring family friendly trails, whether you are road cycling or mountain biking there’s something for everyone.

Joseph Thomson was born on the 14th of February 1858 in a small Scottish village called Penpont in Dumfries & Galloway. He played a very important role in opening knowledge to the west of the last uncharted section of Africa. At the time, it was still listed on all maps as “Terra Incognita.” The term was used in cartography for regions that had yet to be explored, mapped and documented. The literal translation from Latin is ‘unknown land’.

Katie-Jane L’Herpiniere is proof that ordinary people can do extraordinary things. She is a former successful British model, working for Alexander McQueen and M&S, and often took on opportunities presented to her. She also worked in the film world, acting as Cameron Diaz’s body double in ‘The Holiday’. However, when Katie met renowned explorer Tarka L’Herpiniere things began to change. She transformed her modelling career to become a leading endurance athlete, adventurer, expedition leader, blogger and motivational speaker, and has completed over 28,000km of unsupported human-powered expeditions, some of which were world-firsts. 

Originally from Liverpool, Graham is an adventurer, film-maker, travel blogger and TV presenter who we had the pleasure of interviewing. In 2009 Graham embarked on The Odyssey Expedition: The first official Guinness World Record attempt of visiting every country in the world without setting foot on a plane. That’s an incredible total of 193 UN member states, plus Taiwan, Palestine, Vatican City, Western Sahara and the four home nations of the UK. It took him four-years to complete his journey, all whilst raising funds and awareness for the charity WaterAid. Graham also filmed and hosted an eight-part TV series for Lonely Planet, National Geographic & The BBC, covering the first 133 countries of The Odyssey Expedition. 

The next instalment of our forgotten adventurers follows the story of Isobel Wylie Hutchison. Born on the 30th of May 1889, Hutchison is arguably Scotlands most famous female explorer. 

I first met Rebecca in our new London store at 7 Dials and was immediately taken with her enthusiasm, passion for the outdoors and general zest for life. Rebecca very casually mentioned that she’d recently completed the Cape Wrath challenge. She would have happily left it at that, but her husband Nick gave us the complete picture, that the Cape Wrath trail is gruelling 250 miles that most people take weeks to finish, and Rebecca had not just completed it, but ran in just over 5 days and set the Fastest Known Time for a woman while doing so!

Scotland has some fantastic areas of dark skies perfect for stargazing and even spotting the Northern Lights. We’ve compiled a list of 6 cosy cabins and treehouses around Scotland where you can spend a few days enjoying amazing views day and night.

When it comes to British explorers, there is no shortage of famous names steeped in history. Beyond these names, many have somewhat been left in the shadows. Once talked about all over the world and held in the highest regard, we hope to bring these back to the forefront and credit their achievements. Born on the 24th of January 1825, MacGregor was the son of Duncan MacGregor who fought Napoleon. 

In Scotland we are so lucky to have an amazing list of wildlife to spot, but there's a few that can only be spotted at certain times of year. So if you're planning a year of wildlife watching this list of what to see, where and when is for you!

I think it’s fair to say that once again, 2022 has been a rollercoaster of a ride with plenty of highs and lows along the way. Running a startup brand isn’t easy (no-one said it would be) but we’re enjoying the ride! We have so much that we’re looking forward to in 2023, but for now, here is a look back to some of the highlights from the last 12 months.

Sean is an author and adventurer that I’ve been hoping to interview for the magazine since reading his books and hearing him at a talk in Edinburgh a few years ago. Sean’s gained a reputation as one of the most unique endurance athletes in the world and has set multiple world records, world firsts and attempted so many amazing challenges, that it would be impossible to cover them all here. Sean has cycled round the world, holds the record for cycling the length of Europe, completed a 4,200 mile triathlon around the coast of Great Britain and swam the length of Britain, a world first that he struggled to get sponsorship for because everyone thought that it was impossible and that he might die trying.

As the year comes to a close and we enter 2023, many of us will be thinking about our new years resolutions. For many of us, this may include spending more time outdoors, doing more exercise, and taking on some adventures. Adventures can often seem daunting and unattainable for the everyday person, however this doesn’t have to be the case! Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or someone who wants to step up your adventure game, we’ve rounded up the wonderful advice given to us throughout the year by adventurers who we had the pleasure of interviewing. Whether your adventure aspirations are big or small, we hope to inspire your 2023 adventure endeavours! 

Yes, winter in Scotland is cold and dark, but there is something so magical about the country transforming into a winter wonderland. These colder months open up a world of winter activities and adventures that are so unique to Scotland. From spotting the Northern Lights, climbing snowy Munros, skiing in the Cairngorms, wildlife watching, and wandering the Christmas markets, there are so many wonderful activities you won’t want to miss out on. There is nothing better than nestling in by the roasting fire after an adventurous day exploring the wonderful winter landscapes Scotland has to offer. So, let's get into it. 

Alice Morrison is a traveler, adventurer and modern-day explorer who has been described as the ‘Indiana Jones for Girls.’ Born in Edinburgh and raised in Africa and the Middle East, Alice has traipsed all over the world and loves to walk in the footsteps of travellers. Incase that isn’t impressive enough, Alice didn’t start adventuring until she was 48 years old, and in that time, she has written four books, produced a BBC documentary, and has documented her adventures all over social media. I had the absolutely pleasure of catching up with Alice who told me more about her many incredible adventures and offers some great advice for getting to know new places quickly. Her perseverance on these adventures is truly inspiring and sure has inspired me to step out of my comfort zone more!

Girls on Hills is Scotland’s only guided trail running company designed for women, by women. They empower women with the confidence and skills necessary to break free from the road and take their running into the mountains. I was fortunate enough to chat with co-founders Keri Wallace and Nancy Kennedy about what Girls on Hills offer, the importance of such communities, and they told us their top adventure tips. They have certainly inspired me to check out their courses!

Alex Bescoby is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, author and presenter whose projects combine his passion for adventure and history. His work has taken him to some of the more remote corners of the world, including the insurgent-ridden southern Philippines, the back-country of Sierra Leone, and the Peruvian Andes. In 2019, Alex completed his greatest adventure to date - The Last Overland - a 19,000km Land Rover journey from Singapore to London through jungles, mountains and deserts. Recreating one of history’s greatest road journeys in 1956 known as The First Overland, Alex had planned to accompany Tim Slessor who was part of The First Overland on this epic drive, however Tim unfortunately fell ill before setting off so Alex was accompanied by Tim's grandson, Nat. I was super excited and fortunate to catch up with Alex who told us more about this extraordinary adventure, as well as some of his other endeavours.

Pip Stewart is an adventurer, journalist and presenter who’s no stranger to pushing both mental and physical barriers. Pip has cycled halfway around the world, recently completed a world-first kayak journey through the Amazon with fellow adventurers Laura Bingham and Ness Knight, and survived a flesh-eating parasite. I had the absolute pleasure of chatting to Pip about what sparked her love for the outdoors, found out more about her epic adventures, and found out what’s next on her bucket list.

Nick Gardner turned 80 years old in April 2020 and he decided to challenge himself to climb all 282 Munros (Scottish mountains over 3000 feet) in 1200 days. Along the way he’s been raising money for Alzheimer Scotland and the Royal Osteoporosis Society after his beloved wife Janet was sadly diagnosed with both Alzeimer’s Disease and Osteoporosis. He’s managed to raise an astounding £82000 so far, and he will continue to fundraise for the rest of his life. We’ve absolutely loved following his journey and were so grateful for the opportunity to catch up with Nick following this epic challenge.

When I think of Scottish adventures, the first things that spring to mind is all of the wonderful landscapes we are renowned for, the snow-capped Cairngorms, the Cufllins in Skye, The sprawling highlands and plentiful Munros. What many people don’t realise (myself included until recently) is that when you dive below the surface then Scotland’s underwater world is full of places ripe for exploring too.

I had the pleasure of chatting to a few Scottish divers and our very own co-founder Steve, who used to be a scuba-diving instructor, for a bit of inspiration and some of their favourite Scottish diving locations. 

Laura Kennington has built a hugely inspiring career in endurance adventures and encouraging people to push their own limits. She is a huge believer that diving into something is the best approach and she quite literally dove into her career in adventure starting with a spontaneous cliff dive in America. Taking on over 13 crazy challenges cycling, swimming, running and kayaking in the last 8 years Laura has had to battle to overcome her inner ‘gremlins’ who like to tell her she is destined to fail. She joined me to chat about mistakes, mindset and her growing adventure career. If you are considering setting off on your own adventure Laura has some fantastic advice for you! 

Tristan has been a friend of the brand and ours for many years now and will be a familiar face to many of you as he features frequently in our photography. Since retiring from playing professional Ice Hockey, Tristan has turned his love of the outdoors into a career (well several careers) as a mountain guide, photographer more recently a stone carver. His passion for exploration, Scotland and conservation makes him a perfect fit for our brand an everything we stand for, so we couldn’t be prouder to have him as an ambassador.

Laura Bingham is a natural-born adventurer, author, and explorer who left home in her teenage years to explore what the world has to offer. Amongst many other remarkable expeditions, Laura has sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, cycled across South America with no money, and most recently successfully led the world’s first expedition to locate the source of the Essequibo River in Guyana. Laura is married to follow survivalist and adventurer Ed Stafford. We caught up with Laura to find out more about her extraordinary expeditions, and it was clear that determination and resiliency are close to her heart. 

Lizzie Daly is an adventurer, explorer, and wildlife biologist whose passion to protect our wild spaces and care for our oceans has led her to conduct research and make wildlife films all over the world. Lizzie grew up in Wales — an outdoor lover's paradise — and that is what sparked her curiosity for the outdoors. Determined to celebrate Wales and its rich wildlife, she continues to celebrate stories of wildlife on her doorstep, as well as embarking on expeditions around the world. We caught up with Lizzie who told us more about some of her adventures, her top tips for budding adventurers as well as giving us her most interesting animal fact.

We’re delighted to announce that Jacob Mellish is joining our growing ambassador team! Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, Jacob now lives in Edinburgh and is one of Scotland’s top surfers. In his early 20s, Jacob got introduced to the world of yoga to cope with the competitive surfing he was doing at the time and found that yoga hugely complemented his surfing. Practising and sharing yoga is his passion and he now teaches yoga classes, workshops, and retreats internationally and spends his free time skating, snowboarding and surfing. We caught up with Jacob to hear all about his adventures and his life passions and we’re looking forward to sharing more of these together.

Megan Hine is a survivalist and adventurer whose unique set of skills have taken her to remote corners of the world leading expeditions, presenting TV series and even consulting Bear Grylls on all things survival. I was lucky enough to catch up with her to chat about her journey from being a kid who loved camping Welsh mountains to a woman who spends most of her life in the wilderness, occasionally with nothing but her knife.

We are delighted to announce Zoe, the founder of MacFit, is joining our ambassador team! Zoe has been a good friend of the brand since our very first Meander jacket launched back in 2018. We share a love of the outdoors and we’re always inspired by Zoe’s positive mindset and belief that anyone can do anything they set their mind to. Zoe runs holistic mind body fitness classes and has built a truly amazing and supportive community that inspire lot of Edinburgh southsiders to run, jump and burpee way more than we would have otherwise!

 

Anna Deacon has been a friend of the brand for a few years now, through photography, the magazine and events, and we are so delighted to announce she is joining our ambassador team. Anna is an avid wild swimmer and she loves the outdoors, when she’s not plunging into an icy loch she spends her time taking beautiful photographs and writing fascinating books. We’re excited to have her on board — read on to find out more about Anna!

Explore series 4: In the explore series, we journey to stunning corners of Britain with some of our favourite photographers to discover the best locations for you to visit. In this episode, Aberdeen based, Elliot Hepworth takes us around his favourite places in Scotland.

Having been a big fan of Hidden Scotland’s Instagram page for years, I was super excited to catch up with the founder of Hidden Scotland, Jack Cairney. Now spanning to far more than their Instagram page, Hidden Scotland has a website full of the best places to discover in Scotland, no matter where you are. They also produce a stunning bi-annual magazine, which, in my opinion, is deserving of a place on every coffee table in Scotland. I had the pleasure of chatting to Jack about what inspired him to create Hidden Scotland, where his favourite places in Scotland are, where’s next on his bucket list here, plus lots more. If you’re trusting anyone’s recommendations in Scotland, it’s got to be this guy.

If lazing around on a beach all day with not a care in the world isn’t your idea of bliss and if like many you have spent the last few years dreaming of getting out on an epic adventure, then what is stopping you? You may not know how to begin planning your dream, lack the confidence to go it alone or increasingly worry about the impact of your adventures on the very place you wish to visit. Going with a guided group, can take much of the stress and hard work out of the planning, leaving you to enjoy the experience. Below are 7 adventure travel companies that a huge focus on sustainable travel so you don’t even have to worry about the impact of your adventure. Between them they offer a range of truly amazing opportunities for once in a lifetime trips such as aurora hunting in the arctic circle, taking a safari to Zambia to photograph lions and elephants or something a little closer to home. 

Often it seems that adventures are restricted to fearless travellers, requiring big budgets and far away locations. They can be daunting and seem unattainable for the everyday person. However, this doesn’t have to be the case! Adventures can be simple, cheap, short, close to home, yet still be extremely exciting, challenging, and even better – guaranteed to refresh your mind.

As we approach the warmer summer months, many of us will be dreaming of a coastal break. Scotland’s stunning 6000-mile coastline provides some fantastic staycation options, from luxurious bothies to beach houses, and is a haven for sea lovers. Whether it’s white sandy beaches, rich marine life, water sport activities or dramatic cliffs that tickles your fancy, there’s something for everyone to enjoy no matter what you love about the coast. All of us at Meander love a good getaway, so we’ve gathered some of Scotland’s most wonderful coastal staycations for you to sit back, relax, and soak in Scotland’s natural beauty.

We believe that getting outdoors makes us better humans and that exploring nature has the power to relax us, challenge us and to inspire us, it certainly inspires everything we do. For the uninitiated though, getting outside of your comfort zone can be daunting so joining a group can be a fantastic way to get involved.

We recently had the pleasure of catching up with Alice Keegan from Adventure Girls Club and Sarah Gerrish from Wonderful Wild Women who started two of these adventure communities, both aiming to inspire women and bring down the barriers that prevent women from realising their full potential and going on outdoor adventures. They talked us through their inspiration for starting these groups, the importance of building communities, top adventure tips and more.

The Scottish Borders, or more commonly referred to as the Borders, is an area in the South of Scotland that is famed for its rolling landscapes, ancient abbeys, endless picturesque villages, and being the home of rugby sevens. Having lived in the Borders for over 20 years, I feel as though I might know a thing or two about what to get up to while visiting!

Here at Meander we are constantly inspired by those who push the boundaries and live a life full of adventure. We also find it inspirational when someone manages to turn their passions and love of the outdoors into a career. So when we came across Seana Forbes, who is not only a passionate skyrunner, but also happens to be the Press Officer for the Sky Runner World Series, we just had to get in touch.
Seana encapsulates the adventurous spirit and love for the outdoors that we so admire and we really enjoyed hearing about her experiences running high altitude races, her introduction to a life outdoors and what makes her tick.

From stone structures to camouflaged barns, these retreats work with the landscape rather than ruin it and are yours to stay in. These nature-inspired hideaways seamlessly blend into their surroundings and are perfect for outdoor lovers seeking an unforgettable nature-fuelled experience. All of these homes were built with greenery at the heart of their projects, so anyone seeking a break from the urban environment will love looking at these. We have gathered five of our favourite homes from around Europe that celebrate the natural beauty around them. Best of all they are all places you can stay yourselves!

Being based in Edinburgh, we’re just across the water from Fife and with just a bridge separating us from miles of stunning coast on offer we really need to make the journey and get exploring more often. If you want to explore it all, then the Fife Coastal Path is a great place to start either all in one go, or broken up into sections over several trips.

There is nothing quite like finding a beautiful, white, sandy, uncrowded beach that you can explore alone, without tons of other people getting in the way. Finding new hidden gems makes for great road trips and adventures, but sometimes you do need some local knowledge to help find the best ones. We’ve tried to make it a bit easier for you by asking some of our adventure buddies where their favourite hidden beaches are and they’ve definitely delivered.

Scotland hosts some of the most unique and challenging ultra-endurance races in the world. Thanks to the variety and difficulty of terrain as well as the hostile weather, more and more events are popping up around the country to test the stamina and nerve of endurance athletes. Below we have listed some of the events that the Meander team have been eyeing up.

Back in November, we had an absolute blast hosting a book launch event for ‘The Art of Wild Swimming’ written by the wonderful for Anna Deacon and Vicky Allan. Anna and Vicky are both seasoned wild swimmers, and in fact this isn’t the first book they’ve written on the subject. Their book ‘Taking the Plunge - The Healing Power of Wild Swimming for Mind, Body and Soul’ was published in 2020 and documents the stories of the wild swimmers and the reasons they swim outdoors.

Over the past couple of years with various lockdowns, many of us have become cyclists. Whether this was out of choice or by obligation, cycling gained traction as many of us took up cycling as a COVID-friendly alternative for our daily commutes. Not only has cycling grown hugely in recent years, but bikepacking has picked up pace too.

Whether you’re looking for a peaceful place to escape to with your partner, or just trying to beat the January Blues, we’ve compiled the perfect list of staycations for your next long weekend.

There’s something about the long-distance hike that feels very calming. It strips away the stresses of day to day life, leaving with a very simple existence. Walking for days on end with the only goal in mind being arriving at your next stop has a way of revitalizing you in a way only a a week in nature could. Scotland is the perfect place to experience this simple pleasure. Beautiful coastal trails, rolling hills, glittering expanses of open water serve up world class scenery making it a must for anyone keen on multi-day hikes. We’ve narrowed the list done to five routes to help inspire your next adventure!

New Year’s resolutions, love them or hate them, they either keep us on track or end up in the pile of “I’ll get round to it”. But, who says resolutions have to be chores? We think resolutions should be enjoyed even if they do mean challenging yourself. So instead of a list of things to give up, we have some ideas to kick start your 2022 adventures.

As the year draws to a close and we wind down for the Christmas holidays, this means a well-deserved break from routine and work (for most of us). Christmas is also a time when we start to reflect upon our resolutions and goals for the year ahead. For these reasons, this time of year is a great opportunity to delve into a new and inspiring read. Inspiration comes in many different forms, and regardless of what you do for a living, there is a lot to be gained from reading about unfamiliar and thought-proving subject matter. All of these books seek to guide you towards a better you, and perhaps even a better lifestyle/future. They are also available (and many others) to browse or purchase in both of our stores, or on our website. So, without further ado, kick back with a glass of mulled wine and let’s check out these inspirational books.

Finding the perfect Christmas present should be a pleasure, not a challenge. To help you out, we’ve rounded up our top picks from the Meander store to give you some inspiration for you to treat your friends and family with.