Solstice Stories 2025 Your Perfect Summer’s Days Revealed

Find out how some of our customers made the most of the longest day of the year hiking and camping.

On the longest day of the year, we asked you to share your vision of the perfect summer's day.

From golden evenings on remote hills to early dips in hidden tarns, your stories captured everything we love about summer: the stillness, the sunshine, the sense of freedom. Whether it was a quiet moment alone or a shared adventure in the wild, every entry was sunlit and soul-lifting.

Thank you to everyone who took part. Your words and photos inspired us — and each other — reminding us we're all born outdoor enthusiasts.

Mike Scott (Explore Scout Lead) - Explorer Scout solstice trip to the heart of the Cairngorms with our Alpkit Viso tents.

We started at Linn of Dee and set up camp at Loch Etchachan, the highest Loch of its size at 927m. We then dropped down into Glen Avon to visit the infamous shelter stone before heading over Ben Macdui, Scotland's 2nd highest peak before back to camp for dinner. The next day we headed back to Linn of Dee over Derry Cairngorm. Great time was had with very tired Explorer Scouts and Leaders.

Jacq Loader - Up at 4am - kit on and out the door by 04:20!

Change of plan for the day - to avoid a 2.5 hr car journey and a challenge walk in the Malverns, in the forecasted 30 plus degrees heat - but instead head out from home - rendezvous with my best walking partner (my sister) - and catch the sunrise and just let our feet take us!

We had such a great walk - 33 miles of it - around Salisbury Plain and the local villages - and found new tracks of this area that we hadnt trodden before. Flapjack fuelled, water a plenty, we loved our hot and sweaty 33 mile natter.

Kevin Mansell - I couldn't believe the coincidence of camping with my grandson, Nico, when I received the email about The Longest Day.

We had already put up my Kangri Tent, with his assistance in my garden. As change from normal baby sitting we cooked our beans and sausages on our stove and sat outdoors eating it, in the early evening warmth. Just to add to the outdoor feel it rain during the night, the first time for several weeks. Tucked up in bed we read Alfies Outdoors by Shirley Hughes. A beautiful evening together. I have used the tent on sea kayaking trips in Nova Scotia, New York, and on some of the other Channel Islands, over the last 12 months but in terms of memories, camping in the garden with my grandson probably takes some beating.

Graham Simpson - Each year I try to do a Summer Solstice Summit camp.

This year I kept it simple and climbed Ben Vrackie, a Corbett we look out at from home. Unfortunately the weather wasnt great for a spectacular sunset or sunrise but it was an enjoyable wee outing.

Alpkit gear used - Soloist Tent, Cloud Base Mat, Morphosis Jacket, Heiko Jacket and Timigos spoon.

Martin Langmead - Up at dawn to watch the sunrise then 10 miles around the Brecon Beacons.Glorious.

Stuart Hendy - Wast Water Calm before the storm.

My partner and I were planning to walk up Scafell but the weather changed so a move to the following day meant we got to have a special time on the shores before the rain came.