In our Common Ground series of short interviews, we aim to find out what makes our fellow outdoor enthusiasts tick, the experiences they share and their hopes for the future. Our latest interviewee is Grant Moir, the Chief Executive of the Cairngorms National Park Authority, the UK’s largest National Park. Can you begin by telling us a bit about yourself and your background? I grew up in Scone just outside Perth and went to Aberdeen University (mainly to be close to the mountains and for the Dons season ticket) to study geography and history. Having the Cairngorms within an hour…

Our latest Common Ground interviewee is Caitlin McCollum Martinez, who moved to the UK last year. She was a participant in Ramblers Scotland’s ‘Out There Award’, and is now one of the scheme’s ambassadors. This year, Ramblers Scotland will run more than 30 Out There Award weekends at ten locations across Scotland. It’s a unique chance for 18 to 26-year-olds to kick-start their journeys into the outdoors. Participants learn entry-level skills, meet new friends and enjoy fun walks together. Details and registration at www.ramblers.org.uk/outthereaward Can you begin by telling us a bit about yourself and your background? I’m originally from Southern…

Our Common Ground interview this month is with mountaineer, film-maker and musician Kevin Woods. Anna Wells’ round of the Munros in a single winter season has made recent headlines; Kevin was the previous person to complete a winter Munro round, back in 2019-2020. He’s made a great film about his experience, Winter282 – you can catch upcoming showings in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Yorkshire over on his website. Can you begin by telling us a bit about yourself and your background? I’m a creative type at heart. I spent my twenties playing drums in various bands which gave a lot of…

Her watercolours of Scotland’s high mountains – painted in her sketchbook whilst in the field – have deservedly drawn attention for Aberdeen-based geology student and mountain leader Phoebe Sleath (see her website, Sketching from sea to summit). Here she tells of her approach to our great outdoors. Can you begin by telling us a bit about yourself and your background? I’m a Geology PhD Student and creative adventurer living in Aberdeen. I grew up in Herefordshire and, although my parents liked walking and took us on family holidays to Scotland and the Lake District, it took quite a long time…

In our new series, we aim to find out what makes our fellow outdoor enthusiasts tick. Joshua Adeyemi is the man behind the hugely popular talesbyjosh instagram account, through which he shares videos of his adventures in Scotland’s mountains. Josh describes himself first and foremost as a human. He was Ramblers Scotland’s ‘Walking Champion’ in 2023, and is a co-founder of Black Scottish Adventurers, a community-interest company that aims to: introduce more ethnic minorities to the Scottish outdoors, help benefit their physical and mental wellbeing, and educate people about how their daily activities impact their environment and, ultimately, the climate…