I’m Crystal, founder and editor at Ciss Outdoors. For as long as I can remember, my family have called me Ciss. I use my nickname in the outdoor community because it brings me closer to everyone I meet. Hello, friend.
I live in a beautiful corner of North East Scotland, a place I’ve been lucky enough to call home most of my life. I live on the coast, but can also be in the majestic Cairngorms National Park in less than an hour. I’ve always considered myself a jack of all trades, master of none when it comes to outdoor hobbies. From sea to summit, I’m in my element.
The reason I share my adventures is deeply personal. I became ill at the end of 2020 and suffered through almost 2 years of chronic illness1. Spending time outdoors played a huge role in my mental, emotional and physical recovery. I decided to start a digital diary of my recovery through Instagram. I wanted to inspire others going through a hard time by showing that better days can, and will, come.
With a PhD in psychology, I know how powerful nature can be for our well-being. The outdoors has a unique way of clearing the mind, building confidence, and offering perspective on the challenges we face in everyday life.
My love for outdoor and adventure writing actually began when I was working towards my PhD. Swamped by a huge academic thesis to draft, I needed escape. An offer to write kit reviews for Cool of the Wild came at just the right time. The reviews gave me an outlet where I was encouraged to let my personality shine through my writing. I quickly realised how much I enjoyed writing longer-form content for the outdoor community beyond the limits of social media.
I’m proud to be a Cairngorms National Park Volunteer Ranger, Ordnance Survey Champion and to be working towards my Mountain Leader qualification. These roles have expanded my knowledge of safe and sustainable outdoor practices and of our natural environment, enabling me to offer more practical insights and informed advice.
Ultimately, I want Ciss Outdoors to reflect the connection I feel with the outdoors and with other people who are passionate about it, too. As this site grows, I hope that it becomes a comprehensive resource readers will call upon again and again. It’s not just about the gear or the destinations but about the stories and lessons that come from spending time in nature. I’m not here to tell you how to do the outdoors properly. I’m here to share what I’ve learned, and let you decide what works for you.
- If you’d like to learn about my health journey, I share a detailed account in my interview with Raelan Agle. ↩︎
