Some weekends stay with you long after you’ve unpacked your bag.
Our Black Girls Hike Scottish Highlands Weekender was one of those weekends. In March, 40 Black women travelled from across the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands to spend four days exploring the Cairngorms, trying new things, resting, laughing and getting to know one another.
Women travelled by plane, train and car, coming from Ireland, Scotland, the Netherlands, Liverpool, Manchester, Teesside, Devon and, of course, London. Everyone arrived with their own journey behind them, but it didn’t take long for the group to settle into something that felt remarkably like a community.
Within minutes of meeting, people were chatting as though they had known each other for years.
Starting the mornings slowly
Each morning began with a gentle yoga flow accompanied by soft R&B.
It was a lovely way to ease into the day before heading out into the Highlands. There was no need to rush straight into the day's activities. We could stretch, breathe and take a moment to wake up, surrounded by the beautiful scenery.
Then it was time for breakfast and, eventually, whatever adventure the day had in store.
Into the Cairngorms
One of the highlights of the weekend was the Ryvoan and Lochan Uaine Circuit, led by Rhiane.
The hike took us through the Cairngorms National Park, with some more challenging sections along the way. There were a few steep stairs that required a little extra care, and Rhiane showed plenty of patience as everyone made their way down.
The effort was rewarded with one of the most beautiful views of the weekend: An Lochan Uaine, or the Green Loch.
The water really was that incredible turquoise-green, surrounded by the forests and mountains of the Cairngorms. It was the kind of view that makes the effort of getting there completely worthwhile.
And naturally, there was a lot of stopping to admire it — and take photographs.
Whatever the Highlands threw at us
The Scottish weather certainly kept us on our toes.
We had bright sunshine, snow, rain and then sunshine again. Sometimes it felt like we experienced all four seasons in a single day.
Luckily, everyone had come prepared. We wrapped up, pulled on our waterproofs and kept going. The weather became part of the adventure rather than something that was going to stop us enjoying ourselves.
Time to explore
There was also plenty of free time throughout the weekend, giving everyone the chance to experience Aviemore in their own way.
Some women headed into town for a bit of shopping, while others went for a sauna and cold plunge in the loch. A few took the nearby funicular up the mountain, while others chose to stay at the hostel and relax.
The funicular itself was a pretty special way to explore the area. It's the UK's highest mountain railway and Scotland's only funicular railway, taking passengers up the mountain while offering some spectacular views along the way.
Having that freedom was an important part of the weekend. Not everyone wanted to spend every waking moment on a hike, and there was something lovely about being able to choose what you needed that day.
Black Girls Trivia... and Uno
Back at the hostel, we turned our attention to something considerably less outdoorsy: Black Girls Trivia.
There were plenty of laughs and a fair amount of competitive energy as teams battled it out for the top spot. The winning team walked away with a gift bag of goodies and, presumably, some bragging rights.
But the evening didn't end there.
A group stayed up afterwards to play Uno, and things got surprisingly competitive. What started as a casual game turned into the kind of evening where people were laughing so hard they could barely concentrate on the cards.
There may or may not have been some very strong opinions about the rules.
Meeting the reindeer
The following day, we headed to the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre.
It was a rainy visit, but the weather didn't stop us learning more about Scotland's only free-ranging reindeer herd. We heard about what the reindeer eat, how they cope with the changing seasons and the work involved in caring for them.
It was a completely different way to experience the Highlands and a lovely addition to the weekend.
From there, Iman led the group on a hike around Loch Morlich. The rain was still hanging around, but everyone was up for it, and the walk gave us another chance to take in the landscape at a slower pace.
The stories behind our names
We were also lucky enough to be joined by award-winning writer and journalist Muminah Koleoso, who led a creative writing reflection session.
The focus was our names: where they came from, what they mean and how they have shaped our lives.
For a group of Black women with such different backgrounds and experiences, it was a particularly meaningful conversation. Our names can hold family histories, cultural connections and memories, and having the opportunity to reflect on those stories together created a different kind of connection within the group.
It was a reminder that sometimes the most memorable parts of a trip aren't the places we visit, but the stories we share while we're there.
Until next time
The final morning arrived much sooner than anyone wanted.
With long journeys home ahead, everyone was up early and getting ready to leave. Before we headed off, we gathered for a closing circle and shared some of our favourite moments from the weekend.
By then, 40 women who had arrived from different corners of the country and beyond had spent several days eating together, hiking together, laughing together and simply being in each other's company.
The Highlands had given us some spectacular scenery, but the real highlight was the community that formed around it.
There was something special about watching people who had never met before quickly find their rhythm together. Conversations flowed easily. People looked out for each other on the trails. And somewhere along the way, a room full of strangers became a group of women who were genuinely sad to say goodbye.
Four days in the Scottish Highlands gave us plenty to remember.
And, of course, some absolutely unforgettable Uno games.
Until the next adventure. 💚