The clocks go ahead an hour this Sunday, marking a real tangible move towards spring and the longer days that accompany it. After a long winter, the sunny days and bright mornings we’ve had in Scotland recently have made it much easier to get outdoors and enjoy the fresh air and blooming flowers.
At Pagoda, many of our team love to get outside as often as possible, as you’ll see below. And that is reflected in a lot of the PR campaigns we create for our clients.
One of our long-standing clients is Gore, the maker of GORE-TEX technology, as we support on its UK consumer PR programme. Gore is a leader in waterproof, windproof, breathable technology for a wide range of outdoors pursuits. We’ve recently activated a digital campaign to promote GORE-TEX shoes by showcasing their waterproofness and durability through real use by influencers. The shoes have been pictured up mountains, in streams, and on the high street, with genuine reviews from the wearers, garnering incredible engagement on Instagram. We also work with both consumer and trade media in the UK to highlight new technologies, brand partners, and initiatives, ensuring Gore retains share of voice in the outdoors and fashion space.
We also love to showcase the outdoors by promoting places to visit around the UK. We worked on an award-winning campaign with National Trust for Scotland to promote its countryside land and properties. By developing media stories that highlighted NTS’s depth of knowledge and vital land and wildlife management, we placed the organisation at the heart of the environmental news agenda. The campaign achieved more than 89 million impressions and helped to increase membership fees and donations.
In order to ensure we all continue to have access to the great outdoors, we must also consider climate change mitigation. We have a great deal of experience supporting planning and communications around renewable energy, particularly new wind farms and solar farms in Scotland. Our support has achieved planning approval for several projects, including North British Wind’s development at Pencloe near New Cumnock in East Ayrshire. By lobbying councillors, meeting with Council officers, and creating a strategy based on local knowledge and insight, the S36 application was eventually approved by the Scottish Government.
We’ve also been working on recent campaigns for Forestry and Land Scotland, highlighting the work the team does on climate change mitigation, wildlife protection and tree planting.
There is so much to do and see in Scotland, so take advantage of any and all good weather and get outdoors this spring! If you need any inspiration, the team have shared some of their favourite outdoor activities.
Pagoda’s favourite things to do outdoors
Angela – I love being out in the Highlands, up Scotland’s mountains, walking on beaches and really just anywhere remote. I also love my early morning dog walks in the sunshine.
Cat – The best thing to do outdoors, especially in summer, is see live music. Can’t beat a festival in the sunshine.
Colin – I spend most of my time outdoors watching or playing football, and taking my dog Dougie for walks.
Devan – I play football outdoors, which is a much nicer experience during the lighter nights and warmer weather. I also love walking in the Ochil Hills, where my grandparents spent much of their childhood summers.
Giselle – I live very near to the beach in Portobello and take advantage with early morning runs and early evening walks.
Holly K – The lighter nights mean I can play a few holes of golf or go to the driving range after work. And I live beside the Meadows so I always enjoy an afternoon sitting there in the sunshine.
Holly R – My favourite thing is to be by the seaside. I love going for a walk on the beach, paddling in the water, and exploring rock pools with my kids. I also like exploring the (lower levels!) of the Pentlands, discovering rivers, streams and reservoirs along the way.
Lucy – One of the best outdoor activities when the weather is good is a pub garden or patio. Our client Bellfield Brewery has a fab beer garden in Edinburgh. I’m also looking forward to getting back out on my paddleboard as the weather improves.
Melissa – I like playing chess in the park because of the added thrill a rampant Jack Russell storming over your pieces brings to the game. Or a toddler waddling over to steal a bishop, parent in hot pursuit, really adds a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ to what can otherwise be a tense board game. I also love visiting stately homes or heritage properties with a pretty walled garden, and stopping for an afternoon tea outside. Our client Historic Environment Scotland has a few lovely options!
