There’s no cookie-cutter template to how a ‘real walker’ looks, loves or lives in the 21st century. So come one, come all, says #walk1000miles, and the whole walking community.
‘I spent a big part of my life hiding away from the world’
Matt Kirk, Scunthorpe
I'm female-to-male transgender – I suppose that makes me a bit different. I spent a big part of my life hiding away from the world and not really engaging with much beyond my computer screen, but then my family wanted to get a dog. I was home more than anyone else, so she became mine, and then... well, I saw her enjoying the outdoors, and soon found myself enjoying it too. She wanted to leave the beaten path, I joined her, and I've never looked back. I'm healthier, happier, and while most of my walking is solo – I still struggle with the idea of wild wee breaks if I'm in a group – I've met some truly fantastic people who've never given me a double take.
It's taken me a long time to become comfortable with myself. But walking has given me constructive time to think and it's helped me trust myself. If I can plot a route on a map and follow it, I can plot out a path for my life and I can follow it. I'm more confident and naturally healthier.
Perhaps the only thing that's given me real pause is group walking! I don't intend to have any more surgery at the moment, so I don't know what part of the group I'm supposed to pee with! Do I stay with the squatters, or do I go with the standers? I could do either, but it'd draw more attention to me than I'd like!
Despite my misgivings, when I've walked with groups I've absolutely felt part of the pack – these walkers have been among the kindest people I've ever met. If anyone even noticed I was transgender, they never mentioned it and it never mattered.
No-one should hide themself away. The world is yours to explore. Wear that beautiful dress in the sun if you want to, wear your favourite shorts and let your brand new leg hair waft in the wind. Bare your scars with pride and bathe in nature – it's constant transition itself after all.
‘Walkers welcome you with open arms, no judgement’
Saira Ali, Glasgow
I’m a hijabi muslim woman who takes to the hills. When I was younger I’d glance at magazine articles or walk past outdoor shops and find it absurd how much people would pay for such ugly boots! But now that’s me!
It all started after a charity hillwalk challenge was advertised at work. I decided ‘Why not? It’s something completely out of my comfort zone – I’ll sign up. When I got to Glengoyne I discovered everyone else was an experienced hillwalker – while in my scruffy trainers, headscarf flying everywhere, and very little stamina I was a hot mess! Today I’ve got stamina and boots – and I’m a member of Boots and Beards walking group here in Glasgow. Now I just need to work on my map reading and navigation skills.
After finishing the hill I felt amazing – on top of the world amazing! And I’ve basically never stopped since. Now I feel so connected and at peace when I'm in nature – and euphoric and energized once I’ve completed a hill. Now I can understand why people want to live near the countryside. Isn't everyone searching for a little bit of that peace?
Other hill-walkers always made me feel welcome. It’s like this hidden language – even when you’re just passing by a fellow walker the very least you do is smile or give a nod of the head. This in comparison in real life when everyone is glued to their phones and saying hello to someone on the street is seen as weird.
What would I say to someone like you who thinks 'walking isn't for people like me'? You are wrong. Hill-walking is for everyone. If you’ve ever felt unwelcome in other spaces the hills and hill-walking community will welcome you with open arms, no judgement. So just get your scruffy trainers out and have a go.
‘The bluebells don’t mind where you were born’
Jason Scott, Towcester, via Dallas
I’m a bald, broad shouldered, tattooed black man with this funny American accent.
I started walking over fields, pathways and beaches with my much-missed doggy, Milo 13 years ago. His enjoyment of the freedom of the outdoors was contagious. I developed a wonderful relationship with mindfulness while out walking Milo. That's when I started walking for me as much as for him.
Walking means no shackles to me. When walking I’m mindful that I am a free being in a boundless universe. I also recognise that not everyone is blessed enough to enjoy the things I do while walking.
I once had a slow path-blocking lady say to me, "There aren't many of them about". Excuse me? Who's them? I’m standing right here you know...? In the converse, I've had people follow me too closely because they felt safer with me with them. Both offensive mentalities.
When I had my dog, people were always more welcoming of me. As long as our dogs played together, people have shared light conversation with me, at a minimum. I've gained some good friends that way. I find that fellow photographers can be open when I have the gear out as well. I suppose having something blatantly in common has helped.
If you think 'walking isn't for people like me', do it anyway. God made the wondrous countryside for you to enjoy as much as anyone else. The speedwells and sedge don't care what colour you are. The bracken and bluebells don't mind where you were born. As long as they are there to welcome you, enjoy your walking.
‘The outdoors doesn't categorise or judge us’
Karen Ritchie, County Antrim
I took the first tentative steps to coming out to family and friends nine years ago. On the first LGBT hiking group walk I attended there were 35 gay men, and me. A moment of panic? Maybe. But I never stopped laughing the whole, wonderful day. Nine years on and I'm the first female Chairperson of the club.
I fell in love with walking after a blustery evening hike up Cat Bells about 30 years ago. But fast forward through marriage, two young children, a move home to Northern Ireland, new jobs and the hills were a distant memory. Today walking is everything; my life, my health, my sanity. We have a strong sense of family and so much of it to do with the fun and the memories shared through walking.
Walking has helped me through the darkest of times. Sometimes just a half hour along the road is all I need. No phone, no music, no company. As they say, "Solvitur Ambulando". It is my social life too. I walk with groups and at walking festivals, my holidays are all based around walking. It puts things into perspective and reminds me how much of our lives is spent fussing over trivia. But also what a huge impact we have had on the planet and the responsibility we have to look after it.
The camaraderie and support from my hiking peers has inspired and encouraged me. It’s pushed me to take on greater challenges and have a bit of belief in myself. But it's not all about the big views and the tough challenges. I get as much joy and encouragement from the little things or the silly things I see locally too.
You are totally unique, there is no-one else like you on this great, big, beautiful planet. The outdoors doesn't categorise or judge or segregate us, we do that to ourselves. The joys of walking are for all of us and once you start you will find that the most amazing discoveries; people, sights, sounds and smells can be found right on your doorstep and beyond. And that you have a place in the midst of it. So go on, sit there for a minute, on your doorstep. Close your eyes and listen. Breathe it in.
‘Walking – or pushing – is for everyone’
Jamie Green, Oxford
I’m a wheelchair user and my girlfriend Ellen isn’t. I’ve played wheelchair basketball since I was a child, but since meeting Ellen I have started entering races in my wheelchair, completing a 10k and 5k last year. Having a target to aim for has really given me an incentive to keep going for walks in my wheelchair with Ellen where I self-propel the wheelchair. Ellen has transferred her knowledge of running and coaching experience to advise me on how to train for races. It's been interesting to see how some running concepts can be adapted to suit wheelchair users.
Self-propelling my eye-catching orange wheelchair gives me a feeling of control and confidence. I feel independent and it's a great way of keeping fit. But there’s a definite lack of wheelchair accessible routes though, which makes planning a walk more challenging. The definition of 'accessible' is very variable and online information is not always easily available. Accessible sea front paths and beaches (mainly abroad) which have matting which enables wheelchair users to get close to the sea are brilliant. It would be great to see more of this in the UK!
People often do a double-take if we are holding hands. I think this is linked to the misguided idea that disabled people either have to be in a relationship with another disabled person or not in a relationship at all.
Walking – or pushing – is for everyone. Even if you have to do things slightly differently, the benefits of fresh air and a scenic walk are universal. It also highlights that Britain's footpaths should be accessible to everyone!
