Category: Adventurer Testimonies

When I say that I love the outdoors, I get the impression that some people think that I mean going for a walk in the local park or simply stepping outside the house to do things like window shopping or wandering round the street. Perhaps, I need to start clarifying that I love escaping into the countryside and mountains, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life to submerge myself in the wilderness.

 

The sound of the wind, birds chirping away and the loud silence in the mountain gives me a sense of calmness. For someone who is considered an extrovert, it dawned on me this summer while solo wild camping in Skye that I start to feel overwhelmed when I haven’t been out in nature for a while. 

 

Ever since I was a teenager, whenever I felt stressed, I would daydream about packing up my sleeping bag, a rucksack and going wild camping or hiking alone. Now, this has become a key indication for my mental compass to inform me of when I need to take a break from everyday life and rest.

 

I find peace when I am either wild swimming, camping or hiking up a Munro. Although I love the solitude of time alone in nature, I also find joy in meeting like-minded people and exploring the beautiful Scottish mountains together.

 

So, when Josh told me about the opportunity to hike Beinn a Bheithir, I knew that I couldn’t pass that opportunity especially when I had the opportunity to be in great company and make new friends. The few months away from hiking was telling on my mental well-being and once again I needed an escape.

 

Having been out with Black Scottish Adventurers before, I loved how organised the guys were and expected nothing short of an epic adventure. As I had been travelling and not staying active for the past couple of months, I was anxious about whether I would be fit enough to keep up with everyone.

 

I enjoyed the scrambling part of this hike, I felt like my inner child came our to play. Myself Zee and Josh had time to discuss the lack of representation of Black people, especially Black women in the Scottish outdoors. Zee who was a cross-country runner in South Africa before moving to Scotland 2 years ago spoke about the challenge she faced before finding Black Scottish Adventurers.

 

This hike tested my endurance and reminded me of why I need to stay active consistently but every pause to soak in the view was the motivation that I needed to complete it. My motto was go slow and steady and the group was encouraging when I got tired especially Josh who jokingly reminded me to take my time but ‘hurry up’😂. I think my new motto will now be go slow and steady but hurry up.

 

At some point, I wondered if I would ever get to the summits as I was slower than the rest of the group and worried about slowing everyone down because we had a time target due to the shorter daylight. Thanks to Josh’s navigation, despite the sun setting, I felt at ease as we all checked on each other to make sure we were all okay.

 

Reaching the summits made it all worth it. I really enjoyed this hike, attempting a dance choreography for TikTok was the humour that I needed and a memory that I fondly shared with my family when I got home. I was relieved that we all made it back to the summits despite the temptation to turn back a few times but I was encouraged by Zee and Josh to push on.

 

I felt a sense of achievement and was thankful that we all acknowledged each others efforts and endurance during the hike. Not only that but I was so proud of everyone in the group because I knew the effort that went into planning and completing the hike and I would definitely do it all again.

 

I can guarantee that no pictures or video can do the beautiful views from this Munro justice, you just have to be there! I now have more reasons to encourage myself to stay physically active and look forward to helping other people who are curious about the Scottish Outdoors to experience it.

I really enjoyed the hiking that took place on the 1st of October with my friend Eni. My highlight was meeting new people and being in a safe environment where I could explore with like minded individuals. I really love the whole idea and concept of this service that is being provided, it is easy to see that for the organisers it is a real passion. Since the 1st of October I have been encouraging and telling people to join when they can. It is honestly an experience that should be taken on board! Everything from the organisation, to the vibes, to the food was so uplifting. It really made me realise the importance of being in nature and being around people. Looking forward to the next one I participate in !

I’ve never felt so comfortable and completely myself in a group of strangers ( I’m now thankful to call friends) I’m glad I took the plunge and stepped out my comfort zone and joined in with this crazy bunch on their hikes & the barbecue/ games after is definitely the drive to finish the hike

The organisation that goes into our adventures is thanks to @Blackscottishadventurers.the group is expanding and I can see its only going to get bigger, the more people hear of how much it brings individuals together and lifts your spirit

Until next time…..THIS IS LIVING * X

Hiking convert Alert. I just knew (or thought) it wasn’t my thing. We don’t hike. Truth is, we just didn’t grow up around it. No role models. No representation. No one who looked like me went hiking. So I completely wrote it off. Then I had the chance to join the @blackscottishadventurers back in August 2022 for my 1st hike. Around 76 people on a hike, with the majority being blacks people, who, for most of us, was the 1st time. So it was a no brainer. But most importantly, hiking with @blackscottishadventurers is open to all race and ethnicity. It just brings diversity to the Scottish outdoors and hiking scene, and encourages more black folks to join. But if you don’t feel like hiking alone, and completely beginner and just want a safe environment, when you have someone looking out for you and there’s no pressure to finish fast, then definitely follow the @blackscottishadventurers and join the next trip.

 

For me, Now am looking at different route, buying better gears, planning more adventurous and planning to push myself at little more each time. So thank you @blackscottishadventurers for introducing us to enjoying to great Scottish outdoor to it’s max.

I woke up at 4:30 am all pumped and ready to conquer another Scottish mountain, thinking it would be easy peasy since hiking wasn’t new to me… if only I knew what I had signed up for!

I arrived at the rendezvous point, met the best crew @blackscottishadventurers, and took a few, actually loads of pictures! The hike was supposed to be 11.82km long with an elevation of about 915m (whatever that means)! They were just numbers at first and didn’t mean much to me until I was told that the distance was equivalent to running a marathon!! That’s when fear set in, and I began to wonder if I’d made the right decision to embark on this adventure on a windy Saturday morning instead of laying in bed,  snuggling with my favourite pillows and Netflixing!

I maintained my cool and said, “I’ve got this”! We began walking, stopped to capture beautiful moments, danced and took a few wee breaks. I’ve been told that my poker face game is terrible, and of course, it showed off in no time! I was beginning to look like a shadow of myself, with my left knee hurting; I couldn’t hide the pain and exhaustion anymore! It felt like I was going to pass out!! 

As a foodie, I kept munching on snacks and the energy drink (which was a life safer) I had with me! Still didn’t give me enough energy to push through. But guess what? I kept psyching myself, saying I can do this! And I will finish what I’ve already started! I was struggling but kept moving, all this while others were cheering me on and making me feel like a real champ! If only they knew what was going on in my head! 

Somehow I found myself at the top of the foggy and windy Ben Vane!! Oh goodness, I did it!!! This was the most challenging hike ever for me, but somehow I managed to get to the top and came down on my own feet!! This is an experience I will forever cherish. I saw another level of strength  I never knew existed, and it made me reflect and realize that there is power in the mind and the company we surround ourselves with! I could do this by speaking to myself, and the cheers from my buddies kept me going, which translated to physical energy! 

Guys!! I bagged my first Munro; call me Maryamu Munro!

Over the years, I was happy to be called an ambivert. But in recent times I slipped into social isolation due to the challenges of life that no one prepares you for. Thanks to doting older siblings who began to worry that it was taking a toll on my well-being and pushing me into loneliness and depression. “Mimi, you need to intentionally go out” became a frequent anthem that I eventually yielded to. After viewing pictures of the April 2022 BSA outing on LinkedIn, I enquired about the June edition, and this became my ticket to connecting with nature as therapy for my clogged mind. 

Being open-minded is the key to having the time of your life on a hiking trip. But as an overthinker, I just wanted basic information that would keep my mind at ease. The BSA team cleared my doubt with respect to prior team visits to the hike location, risk assessment, a certified first aider on the ground, and the program schedule for the day. Don’t blame me I’m a health, Safety, and Environment professional.

If you are picky about associations like me, A good time awaits you as well because BSA set the bar high when it comes to hiking. From the catchy phrase (This is Living!!) to meeting beautiful people from different nationalities and diverse views who carry out intellectual discussions respectfully, I got my social groove back. As one whose asthma gets triggered by chilly atmospheric conditions, I have had zero worries hiking with BSA, because there is prior information about the right gears to put on, and information about the weather as well so this helps me plan appropriately.

Most importantly, an essential part of black gatherings or outings is food and music. Alongside games by a beautiful loch, this important aspect has been incorporated into each BSA outing with consideration for the environment by way of having a good waste management plan for the duration of the outing.

Lastly, my happy moments are the times I get to soak in the beauty of nature (my very own natural detox). The serene scenic attractions handpicked by the BSA team ward off negative energy (On God!!) and now I look forward to contributing to BSA’s sustainable tourism agenda. Having benefitted from the hikes, I might as well put my sustainability skills to work.

I’ve always loved the outdoors, even as a child, I believe we are born to explore life and this was how the human race has evolved over time; asking, questions, going out, exploring, seeking, and finding answers. I still recall my first visit to Nigeria’s stunning city of Jos for my National Youth Service (NYSC) camping. Nigeria has a program called the NYSC that places recent graduates in different cities or zones of the country so they can get to know the people and cultures there. I still clearly recall how in awe I was when I visited Jos. I had never seen anything like it before. Mountains, hills, and magnificent landscapes. Although I was certain that a life spent outdoors was for me, Nigeria presented certain obstacles, particularly the problem of insecurity.

In January 2022, when I found myself in Scotland, I felt I was in the perfect location. The stunning Scottish outdoors was mine to enjoy, but as with everything else in life, some level of guidance is necessary.

Sometime in February, my friend Keme informed me that he would be going hiking with a group. He bought some hiking gears. Although I couldn’t join the hike at the time since I had other commitments, I thought that was incredibly interesting. However, I seized the chance to go on a hike as soon as it presented itself in April. I joined the team and was welcomed into the Black Scottish Adventurers group, just like every other new adventurer. A succession of messages with advice on hiking gears and preparation for the walk then came. I can still picture going to buy my hiking boots and other gears. I was giddy with anticipation and anxious to go to the hills.

We arrived early at the designated car park on the day of my first hike. The group had already been given the itinerary and the precise location of the meeting place. I’ll give credit for planning and organization to the BSA’s founders, Joshua and Enoch. Ophelie deserves special mention for her energetic coordination and, of course, for making sure everyone gets the greatest shots. When you look through the photos, you can always relive the experience since she captures the complete adventure in detail.

My first hike was at Ben A’nn, and I found it to be really challenging but fun as well. On top of just enjoying the activity of hiking, you get to meet new people because there were more than 30 of us on that hike. What else is there to do when there is poor network reception in the hills? You learn about people through conversations with them. You connect! Additionally, it goes beyond the hike. It’s important to remember that no matter how difficult a hike is, the feeling at the summit is more pleasant and rewarding.

We usually go to a nearby Loch (a lake in Scotland) after the climb to have barbecue and play games. This barbecue is not your typical barbecue; in fact, I think the recipe ought to be protected by a patent. You can ask anyone who has eaten this barbecue if you have any doubts. The Loch offers extra chances for networking while you’re there. It’s also important to note the mental peace that comes from being in nature. It has a paradoxical vibe about it. Although the hike is difficult, it helps you to unwind. The natural world has a way of calming you down.

With the team, I’ve gone on hikes that were more challenging and even nerve-wracking. But the truth is; no matter how difficult things become, we always reach the top and do it in style. We follow the BSA style. We approach exploration in an unusual way. We enjoy our exploration while creating a sense of community and friendship. According to an African saying, “If You Want to Go Fast, Go Alone. If You Want to Go Far, Go Together.” 

We keep exploring together and we keep Living!

As we say in BSA, “This is Living!”