Stay indoors, turn up the heating, and scroll yourself to distraction.

It’s comfortable, right?

But unlike badgers and hedgehogs, we aren’t the hibernating type. Find ways to adventure this winter, whatever that means for you. 

Somedays, gingerly stepping out into the cold. Take the flask, go in search of solitude, knowing you’re more likely to find it on those wind-wrapped days when the hills are only braved by the few. You might be treated to cerulean skies and the clarity of mind that comes when you can see for miles. Or you might be fastening your zip as your head disappears into the rain-splashed hood.

Embrace the cold. And it's ‘effing cold.

Let the ice-fringed lake take your breath away. Swim the slush.

Embrace the elements. All the elements that are splatted into your face as you grin down on the final descent. It’s not called ‘gritting your teeth’ for nothing, given the amount of grit (plus mud, sweat, mucous) in your teeth by the time you pull home.

Embrace the darkness. A single beam is enough to navigate as your toes dance up those familiar-enough trails. Pause as you summit. The breath you heard hardening as you climbed is now visible as brightened steam. 

But winter doesn’t have to be an endurance event.

Pick your moment: from a one-minute dip to a mini getaway. Do enough, feel enough, of the cold to savour the coming warmth. In the bothy, in the pub, in a blanket. With the whoever or nobody you choose.

Or follow the path of the mountain blackbird. She finds her summer nest in upland crags, but now she's headed to the rocks of warmer climes. 

Find your way to winter.