Hey! I’m James – a hobbyist camper and hiker, born and raised in Scotland.
I started this website out of a desire to reconnect to nature and have since involved my long-time friend, Fraser.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve enjoyed escaping to the outdoors. This first started through family camping trips but, in an attempt to find some freedom, quickly turned into adventure camps.
These adventure camps were brilliant for my former teenage self. They had climbing, abseiling, kayaking, survival tips and culminated in the ultimate survival experience – being left with two friends on a remote, uninhabited island in the Scottish Hebrides with nothing but a sleeping bag, a bivvy and a couple of tools.
You can see a picture of me a few days before one of these survival experiences, desperately needing a haircut and with no idea I would soon be hunting for a cave for shelter and foraging for thistles to create possibly the most unappetising soup possible.
However, I’ve things have changed. I moved to the city, I went to university, I got a job and I’ve changed a lot as an individual.
Long gone are my days of wrapping myself in a bivvy to keep out the torrential rain, of covering myself with skin so soft to keep out the particularly annoying Midge (an industry secret) and of waking up only to find out that my tent was very much not waterproof.
This website encapsulates my attempt to reconnect with nature but doing so in a way that doesn’t leave me sodden and miserable. Equipment has come a long way since I was eating thistle soup, and being outdoors no longer needs to be uncomfortable.
Closed-face reels are ideal for beginners and come with a decent existing line. However, when you need to replace your line, they are not nearly as simple as open-faced reels. If you need to replace your line but have no idea where to begin, we have the solution for you as we investigate how to …
Were you aimlessly flicking through the channels on your TV, trying to find something decent to watch, when you stumbled on a fishing tournament? Or was it a documentary examining the denizens of the ocean? Did the show pique your interest, and now you want more? Well, you’re in luck because we’ve pulled together some …
Have you ever arrived at your favorite fishing spot only to have dark clouds blow in with torrential rain? If so, you probably noticed many other anglers pack up and head home while a few die-hards stayed and left you wondering, “is it worth it?” Keep reading as we explore fishing after rain if you’re …
Around 55 million Americans agree that fishing is a great pastime, but fishing doesn’t stop there. Most of us are familiar with kitsch cups and t-shirts saying “I’d rather be fishing,” or those door signs saying “out fishing,” but have you ever wondered how many other quotes for fishing there might be? There are thousands …
There’s nothing that utterly decimates a fantastic fishing trip like sea sickness. Aside from losing yesterday’s lunch, sea sickness prevents you from fishing effectively (or at all). The great news is that you don’t have to worry about “chumming” the water on your next trip, as we have a step-by-step guide on preventing sea sickness …
Locking a tent isn’t typically advised unless camping in areas where animals such as baboons might open a zipper. People can easily slash a tent open, so it is less expensive just to leave it unlocked. However, locking it from the inside is safer when camping with pets or toddlers. Locking a tent from the …
Fishing is a leisurely activity and provides you with food on the table. The best way to prep your catch is to gut and process the fish as soon as possible. That smell can linger, so how can I get the fish smell off my hands after cleaning a catch? How to get fish smell …
There’s nothing as satisfying as returning home after a spectacular fishing trip, still buzzing from breaking in the new rod that’ll serve you for many years to come. You throw it into the garage and forget about it until the next season, only to find that the rod is warped after a year, and the …
Have you ever dreamed of going deep-sea fishing? After all the planning and chartering a boat or joining a fishing party, it is finally time to go on the trip. But now it dawns on you that you have no idea what to wear on a deep-sea fishing trip. If you’re wondering what to wear …
If you’re new to fishing, you might have overheard other anglers talking about inshore and offshore fishing, which they prefer and why, but, being green, you might have been too nervous to ask them, “what is inshore fishing?” While some anglers have different interpretations, most agree that inshore fishing takes place within 9 miles of …
The outdoors is addictive. Once you’ve had your first taste of clean mountain air, star-filled skies, and quietness broken only by nature’s sounds, there’s no going back. But when does camping season start? Can you head for the hills whenever the countryside calls you? Many campgrounds and national parks are only open to the public …
Unless you’re one of those people who love to test their survival skills in the outdoors, you probably prefer to stay warm during a fall or winter camping trip. Making sure you have the right kit for winter camping is essential, but what about taking a heater? Can you use your Buddy heater in a …
Back in the 70s, Timberlands were synonymous with the rugged outdoors. Some folks had a pair of hardworking Timberlands that withstood three decades of abuse. But at the end of the 70s, Timberland began to pivot towards becoming a fashion brand. Thus, they are no longer the go-to for hiking boots. So, are Timberlands good …
Make a few rounds more interesting while out in the wilderness. Drinking games are an excellent way to break the ice or get a party going, whether you’re with friends, family, or any company of age. While by no means exhaustive, here are some great picks. Remember to drink responsibly. The best camping drinking games …
Refrigeration isn’t practical for some campers. Coolers are an alternative, but eventually, the ice will melt. Thus, for fridge-free camping, knowing what ingredients and meals can withstand the lack of chill is essential. What works best for you will depend on packing space, budget, and cooking accessories. No Refrigeration meals for camping often utilizes shelf-stable …
It’s true that coaxing green wood to burn will undoubtedly feel the longest and would take ages to burn to ash. However, this ranges from ineffective to a health risk to illegal. So, let’s examine some great woods for comfortably getting you through a cold night instead. The longest burning wood types are: 1. Ash: …
Camping has more styles than a fashion magazine. There is glamping, primitive, backcountry, front-country, dispersed, and developed. Some options don’t have toilets; others provide them but are listed as pit, SST, drop, chemical, compost, and vault. The latter sounds like something to deposit jewels and not, well, you know. If you’re wondering what a vault …
Contrary to Anikin Skywalker’s famous Star Wars quote, certain types of sand aren’t coarse, rough, or everywhere. We’re all familiar enough with beach or Saharan dune sand, at least from a pedestrian perspective. Still, there’s a lot more variety than you might expect. The many types of sand include: 1. Silica Sand: A Glassmaker And …
Road trips can be a time of bonding, discovering new roadside attractions, and memorable meals. However, they can also become monotonous and dull, which no carefully curated playlist can save. Thus, we’ve put together a list of things to do on a road trip to smooth the journey. Here are 27 fun things to do …
Gods and spirits that control the seasons and weather feature in many cultures throughout history. People routinely refer to rain gods, especially during periods of drought. But there is a wealth of snow and winter gods, too. The coldest season is given a bad rap. But powdered slopes are worth praying to the heavens if …
Camping is a dirty business. Even the more luxurious styles come with grime, thanks to sunscreen and bug spray acting like grit magnets. Yes, we are all aware of thru-hikers whose only nod to hygiene was a toothbrush sans toothpaste. But that kind of hard-core commitment to filth isn’t for everyone. Thankfully, there are showering …
Accessing a Wifi network anywhere isn’t tough: bring a portable battery and your home router. But of course, guaranteeing internet access is the kicker, and admittedly, your apps would get confused. Thankfully, there are plenty of practical methods to stay connected to the internet while camping. Here are eight steps showing how to get wifi …
Ice fishing is a unique experience that not many people get to explore. If you’re interested in trying it out, you may be wondering, “when is the best time to ice fish?” As a rule, sunrise is ideal, but you can hit the ice during sunset or at night, depending on the type of fish …
When the weather gets nicer, and you want to relax on your porch, deck, or backyard, nothing beats lying in a hammock. However, if you don’t have any trees outside, don’t worry – you can still swing by using the best portable hammock stand. The best portable hammock stands are: Comparing the Best Portable Hammock …
Dogs are our best buds, and they make any adventure all the more fun. So, of course, we want to take our dogs when we go camping. However, bringing our fur friends requires a bit more effort if you use a tent rather than an RV. But we’ve got 20 tips on camping with dogs …
When deciding what to bring camping, layers are the name of the game. Moisture-wicking and storage space come next. It also depends on location, time of year, and what you have planned. Once you leave the safety and security of your home for an extended period, whether it is a week or more in the …
The ability to properly seam seal your tent is a crucial requirement. Seam sealing is a standard maintenance procedure, and any tent will almost certainly require it at some point. Sealed seams are standard on certain newer tents. However, this is not a common practice in the business world. It’s quite likely that a new …
There’s nothing more disappointing than discovering melted ice cream in your cooler; it is enough to spoil any beach day or family picnic. How can you keep ice cream from melting in your cooler? 6 Steps to keep ice cream frozen in a cooler: There are two primary methods for keeping ice cream frozen in …
If you’re going camping, you want to bring the best supplies with you to make your adventure as enjoyable and accommodating as possible. One of the best ways to ensure you get the most from your trip is to bring a camping cot along. This way, you don’t have to sleep on the ground, leading …
If you’re into backpacking, you know that every ounce matters. Whether you’re trekking up the side of a mountain or just trying to pack light, backpacking requires a bit of creativity and ingenuity. Typically, one area where you’ll often be out of luck is where and how you sleep. With so little room inside your …
If you’re a side sleeper, you know the pain of camping on the ground all too well. Even if you bring a sleeping pad and some pillows, you’ll likely be tossing and turning all night long. Even worse, you’ll wake up sore and feeling worse than ever before, making it hard to enjoy the great …
Although camping can be a lot of fun, sleeping in a tent on the ground is a lot less entertaining. Fortunately, you don’t have to suffer on your next camping expedition. Instead, with the most comfortable camping cot, you can almost feel like you’re sleeping at home. While other amenities like pillows and a sleeping …
If you have a bad back, sleeping on the ground doesn’t sound very appealing. Even if you use a camping mattress, the ground can be so harsh and uneven that your back will undoubtedly be worse by the time you head home. Fortunately, an easy way to correct this problem is use a camping bed …
Camping as a couple can be a romantic and engaging experience. However, if you’re going to use a camping cot, you need to make sure you’re both comfortable. Otherwise, you might wake up sore and in pain, which can ruin the entire trip. While most double camping cots can work for this situation, you need …
Packing for overnight hiking involves more than worrying about weight and space. You need to protect fragile gear, ensure certain items are easily accessible and distribute everything in a back-friendly manner. But how do you pack the tent? Does everything have to go inside the backpack? How to pack a tent in a backpack in …
Choosing the optimal temperature for your sleeping bag might be challenging. A sleeping bag’s primary purpose is to keep you nice and warm when it’s chilly without leaving you drenched in sweat when the temperature rises. Many avid campers and hikers own more than one bag in their quest to find the optimal load distribution. …
One person’s favorite hammock knot is another person’s worst. The truth is that each known method has its pros and cons. The trick is establishing your priorities and choosing knots you feel confident in tying. No point using the “best method” if it’s only going to leave you in knots. There is not a singular …
Hammocks are setting off from porches and backyards and headed out camping. Some people love rocking to sleep, others want to gaze at the moon and the stars, and then some folks are done sleeping on the ground. But hanging a hammock in the great outdoors is different from clipping in on a deck. How …
The internet is full of advice on packing your backpack. But sometimes you have extra gear. For example, maybe you have a toddler or need an extra warm sleeping bag due to Raynaud’s syndrome. Whatever the reason, sometimes the sleeping bag won’t fit. So, what’s the best way to attach it? How to attach a …
Camping is all about organizing. The more thought put into packing and setup, the more enjoyable the experience. Nobody wants to dig through their underwear to find the coffee at o’dark-early. Nine campsite setup ideas: 1. Pack For Your Campsite With Purpose Packing with purpose takes longer than simply tossing whatever wherever. But the more …
We all know ash needs to be cold before removing it from a fire pit. There are warnings, “No hot ash,” plastered all over, including on trashcans and dumpsters. But throwing it away should be a last resort. Ash from wood and additive-free charcoal (not coal!) is good stuff and has a multitude of uses. …
Tents come in various styles, and each has its own special amenities. The yurt is a unique and interesting tent design that has become very popular amongst “glampers”. What, though, is a yurt tent? A yurt is a portable dome-shaped, tent-like dwelling made from a network of pliable wood poles and a waterproof covering of …
To people new to camping, it can be startling to discover that tents are sold with a second tent lacking a floor. However, this minimalist design isn’t for creating a separate covered area for dancing and picnics but is still for your tent. It is called a rain fly and will help make your camping …
Sleeping pads look like mattresses for monks or poor swimming pool floats. Thus, for campers with plenty of packing space, many forego these thin pads and sleep on air mattresses or cots. But while sleeping pads do add comfort, that isn’t their primary purpose; they are insulation. Sleeping pad R-values reflect its level of insulation. …
Pop-up tents are magical creations. While watching everybody else in the campground struggle to set up their nylon abodes, you unzip, it pops, you peg, and smug. However, that self-congratulatory feeling vanishes when it’s time to go home. So how the bleep–bleep do you fold a pop-up tent? How to fold a pop up tent …
Maintaining your hammock’s beautiful looks, scent, and functionality over time requires some regular maintenance, just like any other piece of outdoor equipment. The good news is that washing a hammock is much less complicated and time-consuming than washing a sleeping bag, tent, or any other delicate hiking or camping equipment. How to clean a hammock …
Fire pits, the at-home campfire, can be found in backyards across the world. But those of us late to the trend now have other options, such as the chiminea. Chimineas are hardly new, a staple in Spain, Mexico, California, and Arizona. However, they’ve finally gone mainstream. But are they just for artsy folks? Chimineas are …
Only dedicated travelers can fully appreciate and understand the value of a quilt or a sleeping bag. Spending the night without a warm bed or even a blanket to rest on is no laughing matter. You rely only on your quilt or sleeping bag to keep warm during the night. This raises the obvious question …
After an adventurous camping or backpacking weekend, returning from your trip means packing things away, cleaning tents, and, most importantly, washing your sleeping bag. What you do to maintain your bag will change based on whether it’s made of synthetic or down materials. Several backpackers and campers opt to hire an expert rather than spend …
Old-timey cartoon characters start fires twirling two sticks together in less than ten seconds. Of course, seasoned survivalists know it is never that simple, and scouts across America have the blisters to prove it. Nevertheless, knowing how to start a fire with sticks is the life-saving party trick to have. How to start a fire …