Challenge Kev Outdoors

Finding Treasure in 2025

Aussie Gold Hunters. Outback Opal Hunters. Gold Divers. If my tv could create a “Wrapped” of my most watched tv shows in the same way Spotify does for music, these would probably be my top 3 viewed programs of 2024. Treasure hunting has been hovering around the front of my mind all year. Conversely I’ve…

02/01/2025

Kevin Johnston

Caves, Kev’s Hill Walking Challenges, Microadventures, Photos, Treasure Hunting, Writing and Musings

angus, Caves, challenge kev outdoors, coastal, hungry media, scotland, sea, sea glass, walk, walking
Greensykes Bothy

Dave and I arrived at the small, frost-edged parking space at the head of the glen, the sun bright and low, for our annual new year bothy trip. The cold hit instantly as we left the van warmth, sharp at minus two. Boots crunched, packs were shouldered and the silence felt wide and welcoming. We…

04/01/2026

Kevin Johnston

Bothies, bushcraft, Kev’s Hill Walking Challenges

bothy, challenge kev outdoors, Greensykes, hills, hungry media, scotland, sun, walking
Can’t a-fjord it, but there’s no way I won’t be back again

If I asked you how much three whiskies would cost you in a pub in Oslo, what would you your guess be? Needless to say the bank manager back home required a call to ensure I was able to afford the libations that this particular establishment was providing. Our first night in Oslo gave Dave…

07/08/2025

Kevin Johnston

bushcraft, Camping, Canoeing, Microadventures, Outdoor Swimming

adventure, bushcraft, Camping, Canoeing, challenge kev outdoors, hungry media, Loten, Norway, Oslo, Outdoor Swimming, swimming, wood
Third Time Lucky

We were going to the back of beyond. Now those are not my words, but the words of a descendent of the last resident of Loch Glencoul bothy. They explain in an info pack to be found at the bothy that “coul” in the bothy name comes from the Gaelic word “cul”, meaning back, and…

24/07/2025

Kevin Johnston

Bothies, Camping, Canoeing, Nature at its Best, Outdoor Swimming

adventure, bothy, Camping, Canoeing, challenge kev outdoors, cottage, hills, hungry media, Kylesku, loch, loch Glencoul, loch Glendhu, mountain, mountains, Outdoor Swimming, paddling, scotland, scottish, sea, swimming, water, wildlife
Lady’s Tower Beach

A microadventure to Elie was my adventure this weekend. Here’s my trip in 10 photos. The camp spot The cooking set up The views The venue for treasure hunting The cave The treasure The view from the eponymous Lady’s Tower Cooking Morning

31/05/2025

Kevin Johnston

Camping, Caves, Fife Coastal Trail, Microadventures

cave, challenge kev outdoors, coastal, sea
Early Spring Summertime

The temperature in the high teens was repeating a pattern which had continued for the last couple of weeks. Warm days, heat hazes, t-shirt and shorts, evening beers at the local social spot. Summertime was well and truly here and the sea stretched out in front of us as we wandered along stony beach killing…

13/04/2025

Kevin Johnston

Canoeing, Caves, Microadventures, Nature at its Best, Outdoor Swimming

Auchmithie, beach, Canoeing, cave, challenge kev outdoors, coastal, hungry media, kayaking, north, puffins, scotland, sea, swimming, water, wildlife
Is it Will’s Bothy? Or Leysburnfoot?

I only ask because the bothy we used for our annual boys bothy adventure this year seems to have two names of equal standing. For instance, when I checked instagram for pictures of the bothy, I found nothing tagged Leysburnfoot but lots of pictures tagged as Will’s Bothy. But I checked the MBA website and…

05/01/2025

Kevin Johnston

Bothies, Kev’s Hill Walking Challenges, Microadventures, Old Buildings

abandoned, building, challenge kev outdoors, hungry media, railway, scotland, shielings, towers, trains, walking, Waverley line
Ballochbuie Forest

This weekend, I was supposed to be heading south into the Scottish borderlands with a friend for a camping trip. It’s been in the diary for weeks. However, early in the week he had to pull out so I was left with a decision to make, should I continue on our prearranged plan, or should…

22/09/2024

Kevin Johnston

Camping, Kev’s Hill Walking Challenges, Microadventures, Nature at its Best, Writing and Musings

Ballochbuie, Camping, challenge kev outdoors, forest, hill walking, hills, hungry media, scotland, walking