2018
2018 Films & Expeditions
The West Highland Way runs for 96 miles from Milngavie to Fort William, travelling through some of the most stunning landscapes in Scotland. It passes alongside lochs and rivers, travels through forest and moorlands, explores countless historical sites, and encompasses mountains of all scales, including Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK.
In 2018 I set out to retrace the route taken in 2012 when I walked the trail as my first long-distance route at the age of 16. Through this film I reveals the realities of life on the trail, from dealing with swarms of midges to avoiding large groups of sightseers, but along the way I rediscover what it means to thrive.
The Great Glen Way travels for 79 miles from Fort William to Inverness along the Great Glen. It passes Loch Lochy, Loch Oich and Loch Ness, as well as the grand Caledonian Canal.
It is crammed with historical sites and beautiful forests, and whilst the route is mostly flat (perfect for anyone new to backpacking), the climbs that do appear often offer the most magnificent views as a reward. It is a truly engaging walk, and like always, has a lot to teach the open-hearted walker.
The Wainwrights Coast to Coast path begins in St Bees in Cumbria, then runs across the country through the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors National Parks, ending in the coastal village of Robin Hoods Bay in North Yorkshire. It is a journey just shy of 200 miles. I set out to walk and camp the trail. completing it in just under 11 days through a searing summer heatwave that hit the UK. It made for scenic walking through mountains and forests, across fields and dales, and along moors and coastal cliffs. Along the way I seek to share the challenge of managing my ongoing mental ill health whilst on the trail, openly revealing the highs and lows that made the walk more than just a hike across the country; it became a journey of discovery, healing and perspective. A walk that I will forever hold close to my heart.
The Two Moors Way is Devon's own official coast to coast route, running for 117 miles from Wembury on the southern shore, to Lynmouth on the north. It passes through Dartmoor National Park, mid-Devon and Exmoor National Park, and although not as popular as some long-distance routes in the UK, certainly has its own unique selling points!
Each year I return to the Lake District National Park to shoot a series of hiking videos that inspire and empower. From low level lake-side walks to exposed knife-edge ridges, there is something for everyone within this series. Check out the playlist for the full breath and depth of trails explored!
The South West Coastal Path stretches for 630 miles around Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall. It is the longest National Trail in the UK, and whilst a select few head out to walk its full length in one go, I have created a series following day walks using its tracks and trails. Here there is something for everyone, from gentle bimbles along disused railway lines, to monumental treks up and down relentless coastal cliffs.
I learnt from a very early age about different uses for plants, especially wild edibles. Within this series I share some very basic wild foods available across much of the UK, from wild garlic and its use for delicious pesto, to elderflower and how to make elderflower cordial.
There is such a rich network of footpaths and bridleways across the South West of the UK, many of which were ancient routes of pilgrimage or communication channels between settlements. Bursting with historical sites and archaeological discoveries, geographical beauty and wildlife, in this series I showcase the immense diversity of walks available across the south west region.
I love exploring Exmoor and Dartmoor National Parks. I often find they get overlooked for more 'exciting' and dramatic places, so through this series I aim to showcase the hidden treasures of these most southern and westerly of national parks in the UK.