How fit do you need to be
It depends on the activity! The thing to remember is that all activities are intended to be social, fun, and inclusive of different ages, bodies, and abilities. We go at the pace of the slowest person, offering regular breaks so that we all stay together and have a chance for taking photos, catching our breath and chatting.
Please check the details of individual events for information about distance, terrain and ascent, and please ask me for more information. As a guide:
- Low level walks are suitable to people who walk regularly (even if that’s just short distances on the flat).
- Hill walks which include hills are more suited to people who walk regularly, sometimes with hills (or up and down stairs) and/or who regularly do cardio exercise (running, cycling, gym classes). You don’t need to be super fit, just used to getting out of breath and happy to walk on uneven ground.
- Trail runs are suitable to runners who comfortably run 10k on roads in under 70 minutes (or 5k in around 30 minutes)
- Navigation courses are slow paces and we don’t cover much distance or elevation.
- Overnight trips require some stamina as we are walking with backpacks (around 10kg) for several hours a day. We’re not going very fast but you need a good level of mountain fitness and previous experience of walking on rough and uneven ground.
What do I need:
Information about what you need is provided on individual event pages. In general here is what is required:
- For trail runs: trail shoes and a waterproof for shorter runs. For longer ones (over 10km): gloves, hat, running vest/bag, food and drink. And a head torch for any evening runs in the winter.
- For walks: a rucksack, comfortable walking shoes, hiking trousers or leggings, a waterproof jacket with a hood, waterproof trousers, gloves, warm hat, extra warm layers, food, drink, (plus cap/hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and midge repellent in summer). You can also bring walking poles and gaiters if you have them.
- For navigation courses: similar to hill walking plus a compass (I have spares)
- For overnight trips: full kit list provided when booking. I can source equipment if you don’t have it or are travelling from abroad.
I have some spare bits of kit (waterproof trousers size 10-12, gloves, hats, rucksacks, walking poles, gaiters) which I’m happy to loan for an activity. Please let me know when booking.
What if the weather is bad?
As we know, Scotland can bring all weathers all year round. While some of us are happy to spend time outdoors in all weathers, I realise that not everyone feels this way and I want our days out to be enjoyable and not pure misery!
I check the weather frequently in the lead up to activities. If the weather is deemed to be unsafe (e.g. high winds) or extremely unpleasant (persistent rain and high wind) I will get in touch to suggest an alternative route where possible, or a cancellation/postponement.
What do others say about Skylark Guiding?
Read some reviews here: https://skylarkguiding.co.uk/reviews/
Or go to the Google Business page: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NkEoUBUu4We7in3m7
Why are your group activities for women only?
All scheduled group activities are aimed at women. Trans women and non-binary people are very welcome to join these.
Bespoke bookings can be for anyone.
Why women-only? I’ve worked for women’s organisations for almost 20 years and know how important women centered spaces are for women’s well-being, confidence, and equality more generally (as are spaces aimed at men). Some women are more likely to join an activity if it’s women-only (for religious or cultural reasons, or because they are survivors of domestic abuse, rape, and other forms of gender based violence), and there is strong evidence that some women are more likely to join a sports or outdoor activity which is women only (for example read this).
And given that women, especially women from minoritised ethnicities, disabled women, trans women, and working class women, are less likely to access the outdoors, it feels really important to offer women-only activities so that more of us can benefit from spending time in nature.
But however important women-only activities are, I’m delighted to guide men or mixed groups on bespoke trips.
Why do you ask for my pronouns when booking?
This is an optional field in the checkout form for booking an activity.
Since Skylark Guiding activities are inclusive of non-binary people who feel comfortable coming to activities aimed at women, I ask people to share their pronouns as we can’t assume that everyone coming on an activity is a woman and likes being referred to with she/her pronouns.
At the start of an activity I ask people to introduce themselves and share their name and, if comfortable doing so, their preferred pronouns. Don’t worry if you don’t want to do this; there are no judgement or assumptions.
You can read more about pronouns and why they matter here: https://transequality.org/issues/resources/understanding-nonbinary-people-how-to-be-respectful-and-supportive
Do you do gift vouchers?
Yes I do! I’d love to give someone you love a special day in the outdoors, whether that’s exploring somewhere new, achieving a specific goal, or learning some navigation skills. You can purchase a voucher here. It’s valid for 12 months.
What is your cancellation policy?
Full Terms and Conditions can be found here: https://skylarkguiding.co.uk/terms-and-conditions/
Any other questions? Please get in touch!