For experienced outdoorsy people, it can be easy to think that walking is the simplest activity in the world.
I’m a prime candidate for this; a middle-class, white, bearded man who grew up in an active household near hills, and who now owns more gear than I can squeeze into my house.
I have heard enough comments along the lines of “But you just need boots, a coat and a bus fare” and “We’ve a right to roam so there are no barriers” to know that some people struggle to understand why many young adults don’t feel the outdoors is for them. But the statistics don’t lie.
The most recent Scottish Household Survey showed that people in affluent areas are much more likely to walk than those in the poorest neighbourhoods.
This disparity is put on steroids when it comes to hillwalking. You’re three times more likely to hill walk if you live in Scotland’s most affluent areas compared to our poorest places.
Meanwhile, it’s perhaps surprising that a major Ramblers Scotland survey back in 2018 found that young adults are the most likely age group to lack walking partners and knowledge of where to walk. It showed that 41% of under-35s cited ignorance of where they can go as a barrier to walking. Many others talked about being put off by fears about safety and getting lost, and almost a quarter of under-35s lacked anyone to walk with.
It was with these trends in mind that Ramblers Scotland founded our award-winning Out There Award in 2019. The free scheme is kick-starting 18 to 26-year-olds’ journeys into the outdoors.
“For me, the Out There Award was an amazing step towards learning how to tackle my key anxieties for hiking. What do I need to equip myself with it? Where can I hike? And, importantly, how to do walks safely? Those anxieties were tackled with learning which equipment and what type is used, becoming part of the young walking group after the award, and learning how to keep myself safe and on track. Altogether, I feel less scared and I’m now excited to be part of a walking group and to pick up a new, fun hobby.”
Iqra Mahmood, 21, from Glasgow (top right in photo)
It offers a unique chance to gain introductory outdoor skills, learn about the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and enjoy sociable walks alongside like-minded young adults.
During the two days of the award, participants learn about:
How to be a self-sufficient walker
How to safely plan a walk
Access rights and responsibilities
Outdoor equipment and clothing
What food and drink to carry
Introductory navigation, compass and map skills
The walks are gentle and held in accessible locations near residential areas, so that transport and budget aren’t barriers. Our participants don’t need a long kit list of gear and clothing. These issues can exclude people who have the desire to get skills but don’t have the budget.
We provide a starter pack crammed full of the key resources needed to take part, such as a survival bag, emergency whistle, timing card, neck buff, tick card and map of your local area, all in a shiny dry bag.
For hardy veteran hillwalkers, these these might sound like small things. You’ve probably got more neck buffs than cupboard space! But for someone taking their first steps into the outdoors, they can make all the difference to having a good day out.
Participants seem to love it! In fact, after completing Out There Award events last year, 96% of reported feeling confident or extremely confident that they had the skill and knowledge to go walking safely. This is up from 36% in their pre-award surveys.
“I had a family who was not very active in the outdoors. And gathering the needed kit can be overwhelming and costly. I remember thinking where do I start? It is invaluable to have an award that educates young people and provides you with the necessities to get started.”
Heather Thomson, 21, from Glasgow (back right) on the Out There Award Plus camping weekend
I think it really helps that on completion, participants receive a year of free Ramblers Scotland membership and we link them to our six young walkers groups, so they can continue building on their new skills and make new mates.
For me personally, being part of that journey for so many young people – and helping Ramblers Scotland move beyond its traditional audiences – has been one of the best experiences of my life.
I’ve particularly enjoyed getting to travel all over Scotland to deliver awards, as well as working with people who complete the award to continually tweak and improve the syllabus.
We now have an award that has been co-designed, that we can be proud of and that best suits young adults’ needs. This seems to be making a real impact in ensuring it looks and feels accessible to all.
We’ve loved welcoming a very diverse bunch of young people to our awards. In fact, during Out There Award events in 2022 we’re proud that:
54% were from minority ethnic backgrounds*
30% of participants identified as LGBTQI+
12% had a disability
14% from Scotland’s poorest neighbourhoods**
6% were not cis-gender
“Being involved with the Out There Award is the best opportunity to get started with a life in the outdoors. You get to learn the fundamentals such as your access rights in Scotland and basic navigation skills, which can really build any newcomers’ confidence. You get a grasp on how to become responsible walker, leave no trace and respect to the natural landscape. I cannot recommend the programme enough. It’s fun, free, and connects you with all the right people who can help you along every step of the way!”
Andrew Wu, 27 from Glasgow
The success of the award since we launched in 2019 has spurred us on to massively ramp up the scheme during the months ahead. In fact, we’re going to run treble the number of awards this year!
That means 32 award schemes between April and October at seven locations across Scotland, including in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow and Inverness.
It’s exciting to expand the project, particularly as I’ve seen the impact on those who come along and how they’ve grown as walkers during the past three years.
We want graduates of the award to be left feeling motivated, inspired and equipped with the confidence and knowledge that the outdoors is 100% a place for them to explore whatever their adventure.
You should always carry a backup means of navigation and not rely on a single phone, app or map. Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is every walker's responsibility to check it and to navigate safely.
