Survey finds a love of the great outdoors is the key to finding true love
With Valentine’s Day nearly upon us, a new survey has found that nearly 70% of Scots look for a perspective partner who has a love of outdoor life.
The National Trust for Scotland says its findings show that a love of spending time outdoors is one of the most attractive qualities in a potential friend or partner.
Its results also highlight the importance of getting out and about with 76% of people saying that making memories together outdoors strengthens their connection. It makes a woodland walk, beach trip or garden stroll the ideal way to spend Valentine’s Day!
In addition, 77% of people surveyed said some of their best memories with family and friends took place outdoors.
It’s certainly something that National Trust for Scotland members Sean Cullen and Jen Winter, who recently featured in a national campaign for the charity, have found in their own relationship.
Jen, from Motherwell, first bought their National Trust for Scotland membership as a Christmas present for Sean, knowing they could use it to visit special places across Scotland together.
Favourite Trust places enjoyed so far include Glencoe, Ben Lomond and the Hermitage at Dunkeld.
‘Exploring new places together’
Culloden was also high on their list of ‘must-visit’ Trust properties last year since Sean is an Outlander fan and loves Scottish history.
‘As a couple, we have always loved going away on little road trips to different areas and exploring new places together,’ says Jen.
‘It gives us a chance to see new things, spend quality time together, and most importantly it gets us away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.’
‘It’s definitely something that we built our relationship from, and we continue to make time for our weekly walks out in nature.’
‘Most of our first dates were either road trips to the coast, going up a hill somewhere, or away on a long walk in some nearby forest.’
‘Probably our best early date was when we climbed up Sean’s favourite hill to see the sunset. I loved his passion for the outdoors and the thrill of seeing my first sunset at the top had me hooked from then on.’
As members of the conservation charity, Jen and Sean can enjoy unlimited free entry to more than 100 amazing places across Scotland.
‘I’ve always been a very outdoorsy person and have been going on adventures with my friends for years but there’s something very special about being about to get out in nature and experience it with your partner too,’ says Sean.
Strengthening relationships
‘So it was always important to me and Jen to experience these things together and is definitely something we think makes our relationship stronger.’
‘Whether it’s going for a long hike up a Munro or walking in forests, being outside lets me de-stress, and for those hours, I feel like the happiest person in the world. There’s something very special about showing Jennifer these places.’
The results of the research for the National Trust for Scotland highlight the importance of the conservation charity’s work to care for and share Scotland’s nature, beauty and heritage so that people of all ages can enjoy their benefits.
And there’s plenty to see and do! Whether it’s a romantic walk in the walled garden at Crathes Castle, a cycle through Balmacara Estate, a picnic in the grounds of Culzean Castle or wildlife spotting at St Abb’s Head National Nature Reserve.
The survey also found spending time outdoors improves mental health and wellbeing with 95% of Scots saying that spending time outdoors is affective in reducing stress levels (97% say access to the outdoors is important for mental health).
‘Definitely for me being in woodland areas where you can look up at the tall trees is something that always makes me feel happy inside,’ says Jen.
‘There’s something really relaxing about being in the woodlands and being able to hear the sounds of nature.’
‘I think being part of a social media generation I can sometimes get quite overwhelmed and so I like to find places like this where I can put my phone away and just enjoy walking in the sounds of nature to help me reset.’
‘At the Trust we know how important Scotland’s outdoor places are, so I’m not surprised to learn that people across the country see a love of outdoor experiences as an attractive quality in a friend or partner,’ says Iain Hawkins, the National Trust for Scotland’s Regional Director for the North East
‘Our charity has been giving the public access to and shared ownership of some of Scotland’s most magnificent landscapes, alongside historic buildings, gardens and collections for over 90 years.’
‘We see every day the impact these places have on our members, like Sean and Jen, and visitors who are discovering them for the first time.’
‘We’re very lucky in Scotland to be surrounded by such wonderful natural and cultural heritage and, thanks to the support of our members and supporters, we’re able to care for and share some of our country’s most special places, helping create connections and shared memories that last a lifetime.’
For more information on the National Trust for Scotland, or to plan your Valentine’s adventure, visit: www.nts.org.uk