TikTok star promotes wild camping

Ramblers Scotland has launched a film featuring Scottish TikTok star Jarad Rowan to encourage responsible wild campers.

 

Jarad, known as @LittlestChicken to his hundreds of thousands of social media followers, discovers five Rules of Wild Camping during a trip to Borders Forest Trust’s scenic Corehead estate near Moffat.

 

The light-hearted video supported by NatureScot and John Muir Trust shows Jarad learning where to camp, what to pack, where to go to the toilet outdoors, how to leave no trace and the importance of using stoves rather than lighting fires.

 

Jarad, aged 21 from Stranraer, said: 'This was such a great project to be involved in and I had the best time filming! There are some lovely spots here in Scotland. I’m wondering does this make me an icon in the world of wild camping now'!'

 

The film has been planned by Ramblers Scotland alongside a team of young adults – the target audience, who have completed Ramblers Scotland’s Out There Award, helping 18 to 26-year-olds kick-start their journeys into the outdoors.

 

Ramblers Scotland director Brendan Paddy said: 'Scotland has world-class landscapes for everyone to explore. Getting more people active outdoors more often will help make Scotland a happier and healthier nation. It can also provide valuable income for rural communities and help more people feel inspired to protect the places where we all love to walk.

 

'The challenge we now face is making sure that the welcome increase in people getting outdoors is backed by the support needed to ensure people have the knowledge and opportunities to enjoy the experience responsibly. I hope our new film will support people – especially beginners - to plan fun, responsible nights out under the stars.'

 

Ramblers Scotland and partners have launched the video ahead of what is expected to be a hugely busy summer for Scotland’s outdoors, particularly as many festivals, indoor parties and overseas travel remain off limits. A recent study by the David Hume Institute showed 36 per cent of people in Scotland spent more time outside in nature last year than before – with 58 per cent intending to spend more time outside in future.

 

The film will be shown across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, Twitter and TikTok throughout the summer. Viewers are linked to a detailed new webpage at ramblers.org.uk/wildcamp that helps beginners plan safe and fun wild camps in Scotland.

 

Last year, antisocial and irresponsible behaviour by a small minority of visitors in some popular locations caused real issues for the environment, local people, and other visitors. This summer is expected to be even busier, so it is vital that people act responsibly.

 

The film was produced by Edinburgh-based video agency Heehaw.

 

To watch the film visit