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Vanessa Carter

Partner Programme Coordinator

Unmumsy (!) | Smiley | Outdoorsy

Mini Bio

For as long as I can remember I’ve been visiting the Cairngorms. I started skiing on Cairngorm at two and a half years old so I’m very accustomed to skiing on an ice slab, in a whiteout, in 60mph winds. That’s normal Scottish ski conditions, right?

In 2013 I was persuaded to cycle around the Isle of Mull (200km), over a couple of days, bearing in mind the furthest I’d ridden prior to this was about 40km… The whole trip, the weather, wildlife, the scenery was utterly incredible, and from there I was hooked. Hooked on seeing more of Scotland, and completely hooked on cycling. Whether it’s ‘nap time’ on the turbo, road, gravel trails, pulling my kids in the trailer, cycling is such a huge part of my life now. Who’d have thought I’d own so much Lycra post my Ibiza days … but that’s another bio!

For the past almost ten years, working for The North Face and Adidas TERREX/Five Ten, I’ve been super lucky to combine my love of the outdoors with my day job, the ultimate dream. Now, with my own wee family’s permanent move to the Highlands (from Glasgow), I’m so excited to be part of the team here at the Wilderness Group. Like-minded people, who love the United Kingdom and Ireland, the outdoors, and exploring. I feel like I’ve lucked out yet again!

Place to Play

I’ve been super fortunate to have travelled all over Western Europe cycling, ticking off notorious climbs including the Stelvio Pass (Italy), Sa Calobra (Mallorca), Mont Ventoux (France), Susten Pass (Switzerland) and many more.

But there’s something special about home roads. Scotland is as beautiful as it is tough riding. Bealach na Ba, ‘the 3 Pistes’, NC 500 north of Loch Inver, all hold incredible memories of self-achievement for me.

Is it weird I prefer the uphill to the down? Descending into Applecross in snow and crosswinds pretty much made that decision for me!

Not a lot of people know this

I was once a cover girl for Cairngorm Mountain. Granted I was about six years old, in a crash helmet and goggles and you’d never know it was me, but hey it was me I promise!

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