Sarah Stirling

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Writer | Editor | Photographer

what I do

Hello! I’ve been writing adventure stories for as long as I can remember (see image below!). When I graduated 15 years ago, I had a crazily naive hope that I could make a career out of it. Surprisingly, it worked. Titles I write for include The Observer, The Telegraph, Lonely Planet books, Fall-line Skiing magazine and BBC Countryfile magazine. I’ve been freelance Assistant Editor of the UK’s most widely read outdoor magazine, Summit, and News Editor of the associated website, thebmc.co.uk, for the past eight years. The places I’ve lived chart my indecision between sea and mountains, and slow realisation that it was possible to have both: Pembrokeshire, Wales; Chamonix, France; Snowdonia, Wales and the Otago Peninsula, New Zealand. My favourite thing is hitting the road in my ’90s 4×4 van, Bruno, armed with trail running shoes, climbing kit, bikes, swimsuit, drawing pad and a happy sigh of books.

what I offer

Primarily an outdoor storyteller, I particularly enjoy exploring cultures and landscapes, delving into topical environmental issues and highlighting the lives of inspiring people. 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.

how it all started

I’m often asked how I got into writing, so here goes. I always knew what I wanted to do – see photo above! I also knew it wouldn’t be easy, so I worked hard to graduate with a first-class degree in English Literature and Language, and wrote a local history book in the university holidays (pub. WHSmith), both of which really helped when I began pitching ideas to adventure magazines. Penning regular articles led to freelance editorial roles such as Short Breaks Editor of Adventure Travel magazine and Gear Editor of The Outdoor Adventure Guide, which gave me security, while still allowing me the freedom to explore other interesting writing opportunities. In 2009 I accepted a full-time job as Gear and Features Editor of UKClimbing and UKHillwalking, the UK’s most popular outdoor website. In 2012, I returned to freelancing, and was offered my current part-time role as Assistant Editor of Summit magazine.

portfolio

TRAVEL ARTICLES

Inside the Scottish skiing revival

What is a Celtic Rainforest?

Swimming in Snowdonia in winter

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?

The history of British female climbers is one of rebels and disrupters, trailblazers and game-changers

INTERVIEWS

Danny MacAskill

Robert Macfarlane

Ant Middleton

testimonials

Hi Sarah, I hope you're well. I enjoyed reading your swimming piece for Great Outdoors, Swimming in the Blintering Dimmity. I'd be very happy to receive any story ideas from you going forwards if that appeals.
Email from the Head of Travel at the Guardian
Reading your article in TGO just now and sought you out on Instagram because it's so good - beautiful writing, thank you!
Email from a reader
"I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the articles by Sarah Stirling in the latest edition of Summit. I found them interesting and funny and caused me to read articles on topics that wouldn't usually interest me. Thank you. Rebecca"
Email to the Summit magazine office from a reader
"Wow, thanks Sarah. That’s one of the best things I’ve read in this role so far. Thank you for making it so good at such short notice"
Carey Davies, Editor of TGO magazine
"Everyone in the office just loved your New Zealand destination feature! Can we persuade you to write up your other idea for next issue?"
Natalie Hoare, Editor of Walk magazine
"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 2009-2013
"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"
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 … a joy for many, many reasons!"
David Lintern, Editor of Outdoor Enthusiast magazine
"Sarah Stirling is intelligent, thoughtful, easy to work with and gets things done"
Nicholas Rudd-Jones, Publisher of Local Living magazines
"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 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

follow the journey

Click here to follow me on outdoor challenges and adventures, such as swimming in 100 Snowdonian lakes or biking Patagonia’s remote Carretera Austral.