Cairngorms National Park – The NEN

Make the most of it! Over a third of Brits say they don’t make enough of their free time

Scotland’s National Outdoor Training Centre launches new campaign after 35% of people said they wished their life had more adventure

With the constant responsibilities of work and life taking precedence over our days, it can be difficult to break out of daily patterns and find time for real fun.

Research by Glenmore Lodge, Scotland’s National Outdoor Training Centre, has revealed that nearly a third (31%) of people said their life was too full of routine, with 30% admitting they wish they had the confidence to try more hobbies. This rises to nearly half (47%) for those aged 25-34 as new adults struggle to find their passions.

The research shows that Brits are too often letting their precious free time go to waste. 38% of Brits admitted they don’t make the most of their free time, and this increases to 41% of 25-34 year olds, as young professionals battle with finding the perfect work-life balance.

With many having demanding jobs, it comes as no surprise that nearly a quarter (24%) said that work gets in the way of doing what they love.

To encourage people to make the most of their free time and bring more adventure into their lives, Glenmore Lodge is launching a new campaign, #GlenMOREadventure, encouraging Brits to explore new hobbies that may have previously felt out of reach by helping them learn these skills in a safe and supportive setting.

Scotland’s National Outdoor Training Centre aims to offer world class training in outdoor adventure sports and encourage more people to enjoy the outdoors in exciting new ways, and maybe even find a passion for something new.

Research found the adventure sports people would most like to learn are:

Paddle boarding (22%)
Hiking (19%)
Skiing (19%)
Rocking climbing (19%)
White water kayaking (17%)
Mountain biking (15%)

The research also found that half (50%) of Brits are doing less that 2 hours a week exercising or taking part in a physically active hobby – failing to meet the recommended minimum of 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week. 59% of people said they want to improve their fitness.

Over half of people (51%) acknowledged that they would be more likely to take up a new sport if they had access to professionals to teach them. Glenmore Lodge prides itself on offering knowledgeable, clear, and friendly instructions with experts trained to meet the needs of each individual, from novice to pro.

Long months of being stuck inside have created a knock-on effect since the Covid pandemic, as a third (37%) of people want to be outdoors more, and nearly half (39%) say that spending time outdoors is good for their mental health.

For Scots, ‘Munro-bagging’ is a popular way to get in some time outdoors, so it may come as a surprise that 69% of Brits don’t know what a Munro is! For those not in the know, a Munro is a Scottish mountain with a height over 3,000 feet (914.4 m) – of which there are 282 in Scotland.

Heather Morning, Chief Instructor, at Glenmore Lodge said: “After the Covid pandemic, it is no surprise to us that people want to make the most of their free time and find adventure.

“From mountain biking to paddle sports, we want to equip people with the skills and confidence to be able to do what they love, whether that’s trying a new hobby for the first time or looking to improve and refine skills. We are here all year round and look forward to welcoming the next generation of adventurers!”

Glenmore Lodge is situated at the heart of the Cairngorms National Park just 8 miles from Aviemore. The location provides immediate access to Britain’s most extensive and iconic high mountain range as well as the best rivers and lochs Scotland has to offer.

To bring this campaign to life, Glenmore Lodge has released a photo series with action sport photographer Bryce Powriemaking light of the lack of adventure Brits find in their everyday lives, with images showing just how far people will go to get in some added fun, looking to bring adventure to the suburban settings of their daily lives.

To learn more about Scotland’s National Outdoor Training Centre, and to book on a course, visit: https://www.glenmorelodge.org.uk/.

Draw inspiration from The Cairn Distillery

Dream opportunity for aspiring artists to realise a dream with help from rising Instagram star

Aspiring artists are being offered the chance to fulfil a long-held ambition to collaborate with one of Instagram’s favourite artists. Phil Dean, also known as ‘The Shoreditch Sketcher’, has over 100,000 followers and is also a published author.

For millennia, cairns have encouraged people to explore new paths and this latest initiative is part of The Cairn Distillery’s Beacon of Inspiration campaign which aims to encourage people to take that next step and realise a long-held ambition.

People from across the UK are being invited to tell The Cairn why they’ve always harboured a dream to become an artist, and what it would mean to them to be given the chance to hone their craft under the expert wing of Phil Dean.

The winners will first embark on an all-expenses paid trip to London to take part in an inspiring tutorial on how to capture an urban environment, with Phil sharing valuable insights including the top tips he has learned over a lifetime of sketching.

The workshop will focus on refining the artists’ styles, helping the pair form a deeper understanding of the art they want to create and how to create it. Working alongside Phil, the winners will learn new methods and techniques to capture both natural and urban landscapes in an intriguing and innovative way.

After a few weeks of self-practice, the successful applicants will then join Phil in September at The Cairn to put their new skills into practice, by sketching the distillery in its stunning natural environment, on the banks of the River Spey.

The Cairn, which opened its doors in October 2022, is the first new distillery to be built in the Cairngorms National Park since its inception. Its owners, Moray-based family business, Gordon & MacPhail, aim to build on its 128-year heritage of producing exceptional Scotch whisky by creating legacies that inspire future generations.

Phil Dean, ‘The Shoreditch Sketcher’, said: “Drawing in urban spaces gives you a completely new way to engage – to sketch a city is to truly see it. You are out in a public environment, part of the landscape and embedded in your surroundings. You have to embrace the freedom it provides.

“The Cairn is truly inspirational in terms of its whisky, its building, and its surroundings, so I’m very much looking forward to helping our amateur artists to bring this magnificent place to life on paper.”

Ian Chapman, Marketing Director of Gordon & MacPhail said: “We are so proud of our home here in the Cairngorms, from the stunning mountains to the glorious River Spey, we are never short of inspiration. It truly is the perfect place for artists to bring their canvas and create something special.

“We are delighted to be working with Phil to give aspiring artists the chance pursue a life-long dream and collaborate with such a talented creator. We can’t wait to see the final results.”

The mission to discover aspiring artists is the third instalment of The Cairn’s initiative to inspire visitors to pursue long-held ambitions.

The first was launched last year when The Cairn brought together three musicians who shared a goal to collaborate internationally and offered them the opportunity to create a unique track inspired by Scotland’s incredible landscape, which encompasses the distillery.

This was followed by a competition earlier this year, giving ambitious chefs the chance to design a bespoke menu with Tim Maddams, one of the UK’s leading chefs.

To enter, please see the online application form with full terms and conditions, available here https://www.thecairndistillery.com/the-shoreditch-sketcher

For more information on The Cairn, please visit www.thecairndistillery.com.

Dream opportunity for aspiring foodies with The Cairn Distillery

‘Beacon of inspiration’ theme continues with chance to work with Tim Maddams

Three aspiring foodies are being offered the chance to fulfil a long-held ambition to collaborate with one of the UK’s leading chefs. Successful applicants will work alongside ‘free-range-foodie’ Tim Maddams – menu creator for The Cairn Distillery – to design a bespoke menu that will be served at the distillery’s ‘Grand Gathering’ event in summer 2023.

Lucky winners will learn new skills and gain valuable insight into what it takes to become an esteemed chef, travelling with Tim on an all-expenses paid experience to meet local suppliers, learn insider tricks of the trade and develop an inspiring menu to celebrate the opening of the distillery.

The Cairn, which opened its doors in October 2022, is the first new distillery to be built in the Cairngorms National Park for more than a century. Its owners, Moray-based family business, Gordon & MacPhail, aims to build on its 127-year heritage of producing exceptional Scotch whisky by creating legacies that inspire future generations.

Tim Maddams has developed the menu for ‘The Gathering’, located within The Cairn Distillery, which provides locally sourced tapas-style dishes devised to complement the whiskies tasted by visitors taking tours. He has previously worked in some very well-known London kitchens before taking his first head chef job for TV favourite, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.

Tim Maddams, menu creator for The Cairn Distillery, said: “For millennia, cairns have inspired people to discover and explore, set new challenges, and guide people along new paths.

“To reflect that ethos, we are providing a series of opportunities to help people realise their long-held dreams – inspiring hopefuls from all walks of life to finally pursue that new path they’ve always wanted to follow.

“I’m looking forward to working with those looking to learn, explore Scotland’s natural larder, and join me in the pursuit of new dishes, that respect the local environment and reflect the inspirational nature of this wondrous place, to be served at a very special party event happening this summer at The Cairn.”

Ian Chapman, marketing director of Gordon & MacPhail explained: “Having secured such a beautiful and awe-inspiring location overlooking the river Spey, we wanted to make sure our food offering matches the quality of our whisky and inspires visitors as much as our surroundings.

“We are delighted to work with Tim to create an ever-evolving menu for The Gathering. With that in mind we are thrilled to be able to give three aspiring foodies the chance to work with Tim, learn and be inspired by his work, and help create a unique new menu to celebrate the opening of the distillery doors.”

The mission to discover three aspiring chefs is the second instalment of The Cairn’s initiative to inspire visitors to pursue long-held ambitions.

The first was launched last year when The Cairn brought together three artists who shared a goal to collaborate internationally and offered them the opportunity to create a unique track inspired by Scotland’s incredible landscape which encompasses the distillery.

A personal invitation from Tim to apply can be found here:

https://youtu.be/DVNs4ndTEVY

with the online application form with full Ts & Cs, found here

https://www.thecairndistillery.com/tim-maddams