Magazine

If, like me, you feel a pang of guilt every time you throw something out, but don’t know where to start with improving the situation, then just trying to be more conscious for one week can make a huge difference and kickstart some good habits.

Like many people, I found myself getting into a bit of a slump during the first Lockdown. Without any end in sight, and the fear of the unknown, I found myself searching for something to keep me occupied and lift my mood. Daily workouts, reading, and painting, amongst other hobbies helped, but it wasn’t until I found the joy of swimming in my local loch that I really started to notice a difference in my lockdown-induced mood.

Earlier this summer, we had the pleasure of meeting Tommy Aucott and Lydia Routlege as they were meandering through Scotland on an epic wild camping adventure. After chatting with them both and seeing their obvious passion for Scotland, Wild Camping and Photography we asked if they would be willing to share their story for the Meander magazine and they very kindly agreed. In this awesome photographic journal, they share their adventure, some great advice for wild camp newcomers and some great spots to pitch up.

Most people arrive at Scotland's bothies on foot and seeking some sheltered refuge from a long day walking in the hills. However, Paul Brett isn’t most people. Below, Paul tells the story of an epic cycling adventure across the Cairngorms, linking up several bothies that sparked the idea for an all new, super high quality cycling magazine - Proper Cycling.

Behind the Lens 1: In the first instalment of this series we catch up with Sam Howard, an amazing photographer who’s passionate about capturing images of Scotland’s surf scene. Stay tuned for more conversations with talented photographers from a number of disciplines, discovering the ins and outs of day to day life in the world of photography.

Scotland is renowned for its distinctive and diverse range of landscapes; from dramatic mountains and glens, to deep lochs and rugged coastlines. Some would say there is no better way to appreciate Scotland than from the top of its highest peaks and for those among us who long for that extra challenge, climbing may be the activity for you. Although very technical initially, once you get the hang of it, it will provide the perfect tools to unlock ALL that Scotland has on offer.

There are 282 munros scattered all around Scotland. 3 years ago Emily Scott achieved the amazing feat of climbing every single one in just 120 consecutive days. Armed with just her hiking gear, tent and bike she set off on her 4 month adventure. She covered over 4,800km with over 198,000m ascent, her journey was self-propelled, and for the most part self supported.

It’s no secret that dogs make great adventure companions and at Meander we’re all passionate about getting out and about with our four legged friends! Dexter dog (our resident founding fluffy team member) is a keen hiker (and frisbee champ) and has even conquered a few Munros.

It’s no secret that the fashion industry has a significant impact on our environment. In fact, it is the second largest polluter in the world, just after the oil industry. The environmental damage is only increasing as the industry booms. One of the largest issues in the production process, and one that’s not often discussed, is that of the chemicals used in various stages of garment production from fibre productions to dyes and treatments. We often think of the risks associated with chemicals in things like cleaning products and pharmaceuticals, but rarely give serious thought to the chemicals that are used in the production of the clothes we wear all day long.

From hiking solo to building a community of over 13,000 people and establishing a social enterprise in just 4 years, Edinburgh based Iona has created something really special. We caught up with her to chat about her journey, the importance of adventures and some confidence boosting tips for beginners.

The green tourism movement is growing in Scotland and its great to see more and more cottages, hotels and glamping sites being built using sustainable methods, green enery and paying attention to their environmental footprint. At Meander we love to travel and of course, if we can do it in a more sustainabile way, then we’re all for it. We’ve put together a list of some unique eco friendly Scottish accommodation to help inspire your next adventure.