It is well researched and well documented that spending time in nature is beneficial for mental health and wellbeing. This is especially important if you are an LGBTQ+ person or a member of an intersectional marginalised community.

For life in a rural space such as the Cairngorms National Park, being in and around nature is a part of life, and many queer people feel a kinship with their natural surroundings which offers a sense of unconditional belonging free of minority stress.

There are established LGBTQ+ groups in and around the Park which celebrate togetherness in nature, including the wonderful Cairngorms Pride Paddlers and the Out and About in the Highlands group with LEAP Sports.

As part of our Social Spaces Network project, we hope to increase the visibility of queer connections with nature through a calendar of events we co-create with our partners and spaces.

Rural LGBTQ+ people and mental health

The Equality Network is one of Scotland's national organisations working for LGBTI rights and equality. As well as providing guidance and training for individuals, businesses and organisations, the Equality Network also regularly produces reports to give us an understanding of the status of LGBTI lives and experiences in Scotland. Their Further Out research and report from 2021 give insight into the mental health and wellbeing experiences of people in rural Scotland.  

LGBT Youth Scotland exists to support LGBTI young people aged 13-25 in Scotland. Their Living in Scotland Rural Report from 2023 reports that of 1279 young LGBTQ+ people surveyed, only 39% of participants based in rural areas reported that they believe that their local area is a good place to live. This is 20% lower than participants who live in urban and suburban areas.

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Connecting up the circle

At Cairngorms Pride, we believe that it is especially important to do the work of creating new and visible spaces in the Park, to give LGBTQ+ people of all ages the opportunity to meet, connect and enjoy life in places which support and celebrate them. We know this will have a lasting and positive impact on people's lives.

We also know that where those spaces are nature-based, or the activity is nature-driven, we get the chance to give back to the planet in the process.

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Do you have favourite LGBTQ+ and nature wellbeing stories, resources, books, clips or art? Tell us!

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