In Your Element Blog
This is the place to find out what’s going on with In Your Element, Outdoor Experiences, Events, Staff and Company News.
River Spey Adventure
Boots N Paddles recently ran a 3-day expedition for the Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society as a way of raising some much needed funds for this worthy charity. One of our guides Ross Boardman...
Whitewater sledging
After waiting for what has seemed like an eternity, the latest addition to our list of exciting activities is almost ready to go. From the end of August, when water levels are most likely to be...
Canoe sailing
Canoe sailing brings a new dimension to canoeing and is FUN! Having recently tried canoe sailing for the first time in May this year, I enjoyed it so much that I've just gone out and bought one....
Find the weather
If you're into the outdoors and need to know when to avoid the wind or indeed if you're actively looking for windy conditions, then this website could be what you're looking for. XCWeather.co.uk...
24hr canoe challenge
Our very own Mike (Dunthorne) has just volunteered to step-in as a last minute replacement for a rather onerous challenge. Mike will join Chris Ostler and attempt to paddle the full 96km of the...
Love an Islabike
This is for all you parents out there with wee ones growing into big ones that are just desperate to get on a bike. I'm a parent of 5-year old, into everything, twins who just love what the outdoors...
Keeping in Touch
Our latest newsletter for Summer 2012 is now available. In this issue: - The Segways have arrived - Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society take on the Spey - 'Fiona Outdoors' joins us on the Great...
Hillwalking and stalking
With ever increasing numbers of people heading for the hills and mountains of Scotland to enjoy what the landscape has to offer, it's important to remember that walkers aren't the only people that...
Reporting rubbish!
As the nice weather is (hopefully) approaching and more of us will be out on the water I thought it would be a good opportunity to share some information about reporting any litter/ pollution...
New Scottish National Trail
One of the country’s leading outdoors writers and broadcasters revealed he will be working with the BBC this year to film a project that will follow a route from Scotland’s border to its north-west...
Scottish Fossil Code
Ok, so unless you're talking about some of our staff, we can't claim to be experts on fossils. However, that's not to say that we, as outdoorsy-type people won't come across them while out and...
Ticks…look out!
It is anticipated that 2012 could be the year of the tick. Recent news reveals that the ticks are coming… and this year they will be more prominent than ever in Scotland. This is not good news for...
Custom OS maps
If you've ever done a walk that spans more than one map sheet then the faff will be familiar; and it's usually raining and windy when it comes to the swap, too. More and more people are using...
A legacy in time
The next time you're huffing and puffing up a steep mountain track, take a moment to consider why we even have mountains to explore. Nothing lasts in nature. Given time, lots and lots of time,...
Song of the Paddle
Why “Song of the Paddle”? The Song of the Paddle is a well-known book amongst open canoeists. It is written by Bill Mason and is subtitled “An Illustrated Guide to Wilderness Camping”. So,...
Norway: Outdoor Paradise
The Outdoor Paradise - A Ski and Kayak Odyssey in Europe's Great Wild This looks like a great read although it's only available for pre-order at the moment. The author, James Baxter, is a member of...
Wrapped in cotton wool: part 2
Carrying on where we left off yesterday... click here “Adventure sports bring considerable health benefits, both physical and psychological, and this is now fairly common knowledge. Even in relation...
Wrapped in cotton wool: part 1
Public Safety and Risk Assessment By David J Ball and Laurence Ball-King Is Britain wrapped in cotton wool? It’s a question posed by the authors in this book which looks at how legislation...
Re-using outdoor gear: part 2
Carrying on where we left off yesterday - Yesterday's post Sarah Howcroft sees her new website project as a start. “I do believe this is the only way we will see sustained progress.” The OIA boss...
Re-using outdoor gear: part 1
Recyling outdoor gear: first industry steps towards a greener future? How green is your outdoor gear? No, not the colour; do you ever consider the environmental consequences of the clothes and...
