Magazine

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!