Sarah Stirling

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Writer | Editor | Photographer

Inspiring outdoor adventures since 2004

Snowdonian lakes and rivers ticked on my last challenge

years as an outdoor adventure writer and editor

1200

kilometres of Patagonia planned for my next adventure

my story

I always knew what I wanted to do – see photo below! After scraping first-class honours in English Literature and Language, I began writing for a range of adventure magazines. That was 15 years ago. Writing regular articles led to freelance editorial roles, such as Short Breaks Editor of Adventure Travel magazine and Gear Editor of The Outdoor Adventure Guide. Between 2009 and 2013 I was the full-time Gear and Features Editor of UKClimbing and UKHillwalking, the UK’s most popular outdoor website. I then moved to Chamonix and returned to freelancing.

current work

For the past five years I’ve been Assistant Editor of BMC Summit, the UK’s most widely read outdoor magazine, which focusses on mountain sports. 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 projects. I now live in Snowdonia.

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 book company. 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

Exploring the Faroe Isles

Inside the Scottish skiing renaissance

Secret trails of Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion

Surfing and van life in Australia

Skiing lift-serviced backcountry in New Zealand

Climbing, hiking and cycling all over Sicily

I lived in Chamonix for four years. Here are my favourite trails

Nine weeks MTB bikepacking around New Zealand

Bikepacking the Balkans – Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania

features

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

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

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

Both want to set an Everest speed record. What drives Kilian Jornet and Ueli Steck to live fast?

The intimate drugs cabinet hidden within all of us, and how to access it…

What’s it really like to be a sponsored hero? Eight climbers bare all from the cutting edge of climbing

interviews

Danny MacAskill

Robert Macfarlane

Ant Middleton

Chris Sharma

Colin Prior

Ellie Harrison

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