Connect Outdoors programme receives funding boost

Educational hiking programme, piloted by the Trust and partners Mhor Outdoor and Tiso, awarded £132,350 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and shortlisted for Nature of Scotland Award. 

A pilot programme to introduce under-represented communities to Scotland’s outdoors has been awarded funds from The National Lottery Heritage Fund - and has been shortlisted for a 2024 Nature of Scotland Award.

Mhor Outdoor, Tiso and the John Muir Trust worked together on creating the Connect Outdoors educational hiking programme, which they tested by running six Connect Outdoor hiking sessions in autumn 2023 - including one at Schiehallion, pictured above.

The recent award of £132,350 will enable the partners to organise a further series of 15 Connect Outdoors hiking programmes over the next three years.

For every eight week programme, Connect Outdoors partners with a different community organisation whose beneficiaries face barriers to accessing the outdoors. The hill walks become progressively more challenging over the duration of the programme and are led by a Mhor Outdoor mountain leaders. 

Every week, a content specialist joins the group to cover specific educational topics such as conservation, weather and safety, and navigation, providing participants with practical knowledge and skills. 

Tiso leads the session on gear and maintenance, while the John Muir Trust covers conservation and nature. Participant hikers can then become involved in local hill walking clubs or join a leadership programme, thereby maintaining the project's impact and advocating for change across the outdoor sector. 

The project's goal is to build knowledge, confidence, and a sense of belonging in the outdoors, advocating for connections with adventure, with nature, and with each other. 

Rachel May, Founding Leader of Mhor Outdoor said ‘We are excited to be able to demonstrate how appreciation of Scotland's natural and cultural heritage can be transformative for both people and places, thanks to The National Lottery and its players’.

Chris Tiso, CEO Tiso Group said: “We know first-hand the benefits that the outdoors can have on our mental and physical health, and we have been working together with Rachel on Connect Outdoors to highlight to those excluded and hard to reach groups how they can interact with wild places, responsibly. This funding will help reach more people.”

Caroline Clark, The National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for Scotland said: “Heritage is for everyone and this project has that at its core, improving inclusion, access and participation. This great project is all about creating opportunities and challenging the barriers to enjoying Scotland’s nature and outdoors.” 

The Trust’s Regional Manager (Central) Cathleen Thomas said: “We look forward to working with our partners to help pursue the vision for the programme, a Scotland where the experience and understanding of wild places and their benefits is relevant, sustainable and inclusive for everyone.”

• Watch a video to find out how Connect Outdoors is helping to make Scotland's wild places accessible to more Connect Outdoors.
• Connect Outdoors has been shortlisted for a 2024 Nature of Scotland Award in the Business for Nature category. The winners will be announced at an event on Thursday 28 November 2024.