Sarah Stirling

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Writer | Editor | Photographer

Inspiring outdoor adventures since 2004

my story

People often ask how I got into writing, so here goes. I always knew what I wanted to do – see photo below! I also knew it wouldn’t be easy, so I worked hard to graduate with first-class honours in English Literature and Language and also wrote a local history book in the uni holidays, which was published by WH Smith. Having a good degree and a book to my name really helped when I started pitching article ideas to outdoor and travel magazine editors. That was 2004. It took me a few years to build up enough writing work: initially I taught skiing and climbing part-time at outdoor centres. Eventually, though, writing regular articles led to freelance editorial roles: I was Short Breaks Editor of Adventure Travel magazine and Gear Editor of The Outdoor Adventure Guide for several years before accepting a job as full-time Gear and Features Editor of UKClimbing and UKHillwalking, the UK’s most popular outdoor website, in 2009. In 2013, ready for a change (but also quite scared about making ends meet!) I moved to Chamonix and returned to freelancing.

current work

A month after I left UKC, the British Mountaineering Council offered me a part-time job. I’ve been Assistant Editor of their magazine, Summit (the UK’s most widely read outdoor magazine) and the BMC website for six years now. I’ve also been Editor of The Outdoor Adventure Guide, the summer sister of Fall-line Skiing magazine, for two years. The latter is a fun, very British take on camping, bushcraft and adventuring. Working freelance for both these titles allows me the freedom to take on other interesting writing and editing projects. I write for a range of publications including Lonely Planet books, the Guardian, the Observer, the Telegraph, Fall-line Skiing and Outdoor Enthusiast. I moved to Snowdonia in 2016.

my services

I’m primarily an outdoor storyteller. I particularly enjoy exploring cultures and landscapes, delving into topical environmental issues, and bringing the work of inspiring people to light. Feel free to contact me if you are the commissioning editor of an outdoor magazine or a book company. Likewise, if you are a business looking for an editorial manager to produce a bookazine or book. A perfectionist editor and writer, I work hard to earn the testimonials you’ll see below. I occasionally take on copywriting and PR work, too – past clients include Inov8 (running gear brand), Jagged Globe (expedition company) and Sheffield Adventure Film Festival.

portfolio

travel articles

Inside the Scottish skiing renaissance

Secret trails of Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion

Exploring the Faroe Isles

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features

As animal welfare charities campaign for down to be banned, I find out the facts behind the fluff

Once, Britain heaved with outdoor gear factories. What is still made here and is it any good?

Can you be both a good climber and a good mother? A gentle look at a sensitive topic

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interviews

Danny MacAskill

Robert Macfarlane

Ant Middleton

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testimonials

I have just finished reading Swansea and I enjoyed it SO much – I could imagine every step of your route and enjoyed it all – more than anything it really made me WANT to go and try it out. You are more than welcome to do another city any time the fancy takes you.
Nicholas Rudd-Jones, publisher of Urban Rambles
I'm really pleased with the way we all worked at Friedrichshafen [Europe’s main outdoor gear trade show]. I think we have become a very well-oiled machine now when it comes to dealing with these things. A lot of that is thanks to your excellent planning pre-show, great work at the show and solid follow-up work.
Alan James, MD of UKClimbing.com. I was full-time Gear and Features Editor from 2009 to 2013.
You’re great to work with. Thanks for consistently turning around proofreading and copy editing jobs to a very high standard when the pressure is on.
Shane Ohly, marketing consultant for Inov-8 running shoes
You were a joy to work with, working hard and effectively, and usually pre-empting me whenever I had a suggestion because you'd already covered that angle!
Matt Heason, organiser of Sheffield Adventure Film Festival on my PR work
I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your article on Rutland, in the forthcoming issue of Beautiful Britain. I know Rutland and south Leicestershire very well (was born there), and your piece brought back lots of memories. More than that, though, I find your style of writing, your ‘voice’ if you like, very engaging and a far cry from the general run-of-the-mill commissioned hack stuff. I can’t wait to read more.
Email from the sub editor of Beautiful Britain magazine
How refreshing to see a bold, well-researched piece on a controversial subject. I was very impressed by the way you found a number of real-life case-studies and by the thoughtful way in which you put your argument across. There’s a great need for high-quality, thought-provoking pieces like this, so bravo.
Email from a reader about my article, Mountaineering Mums
This is lovely Sarah, really. Thank you so much for coming up trumps. It’s great – doesn’t need touching, and is beautiful … which is a joy for many, many reasons!
David Lintern, editor of Outdoor Enthusiast magazine on my article, Silent Runner
Sarah Stirling is intelligent, thoughtful, easy to work with and gets things done.
Nicholas Rudd-Jones, publisher of Local Living magazines. I was Outdoor Activities Editor from 2004 to 2008. My first regular writing job.
Excellent article on down trade in Summit mag from Sarah Stirling. The BMC doing what it does best, supporting and caring for us climbers.
Vertebrate Publishing, commenting on my article on the ethics of down sourcing on Twitter
Damn, you’re good! All looks spot on, cheers.
Alex Messenger on my work as Assistant Editor of BMC Summit magazine
Your piece on the Faroes was a marvel! A fantastic piece of observation and travelogue – loved the story, loved the way you set place and the people. Thanks indeed.
Dickie, publisher of The Outdoor Adventure Guide