Explore: Strathspey Storywalks

Wander through woods and along trails, discovering the incredible culture, history and ecology of this special part of the Cairngorms National Park, tasting wild teas, and sharing local stories of kings, witches, fairy folk, highwaymen... and perhaps a Gaelic song or two.

If you're looking for something a little different to do in the Cairngorms, a guided walk with Sarah from Strathspey Storywalks is a fantastic way to experience the outdoors in ways you might not have expected. Sarah offers slow-paced and informal adventures for all ages, mixing story telling with lessons in foraging. The perfect way to experience the area if you fancy exploring and learning about the local history, culture, folklore and ecology with an experienced local who has a huge amount of passion for the area. She’ll also keep you warm with a cup of wild tea along the way!

Sarah is a mountain lover and quiet explorer, hailing from Derbyshire, via Norway, Egypt and London. The landscapes, the people and the reindeer brought her to the Scottish Highlands, and to Aviemore, which has become her home.

”Wandering and wondering about placenames in the hills led me to begin learning Scottish Gaelic. That in turn opened up a whole world of stories and songs linked to places and communities, some of which I share during the walks. I particularly like the Gaelic working songs - òrain obrach - and informal singsongs down the pub.

For most of my life I've worked with communities to uncover or draw out hidden stories or narratives, for social change. I have worked to address systemic social inequalities in the UK, in health and education, and also organised and run cultural expeditions for young people to the Middle East and South Asia for peer-to-peer learning beyond stereotypes.

The walks continue some of this, exploring hidden gems and untold stories which are part of the fabric of places, but often hidden or forgotten. With time, I hope to expand the range of walks within and around Aviemore and Strathspey.”