BILA - Be Intrepid Live Adventurously

01/09/2026

Three years of BILA. But the story started before the logo, the adventures and the people I’ve guided. 👇

BILA began at a time when my life had changed and I suddenly found myself alone and seeking a new direction.

I needed somewhere to go. Not to run away, but to find my way back. It was time for change.

Back to the mountains. Back to wild places. Back to the simplicity of putting one foot in front of the other and knowing that, however difficult the climb, you keep moving.

Nature reminded me of things I’d somehow lost sight of: My character. My values. My strength. And what makes me feel truly alive.

Fortunate enough to explore nature across Scandanavia, I remembered that being Intrepid, is to Live Adventurously. To move with courage and skill, explore new places, people and experiences in all opportunities in front of me.

Out there, life became simpler.

The mountains didn't care about the past or what came next. They just asked me to be present. To trust my instinct again.

And somewhere in that process, BILA Outdoors was born.

Over the last three years, what began as something deeply personal became something I could share with others.

I’ve had the privilege of guiding some incredible people. We've climbed, hiked, paddled, ridden and ploughed, laughed, battled weather, pushed through tired legs and stood together in places that make everything else feel very small.

I hope I've given some of you a little of what the outdoors gave me.

Perspective. Confidence. Connection. Freedom.

But BILA has continued to give something back to me too.

Peace and Strength to move on.

And a reminder of who I am when everything else is stripped away.

That's why the logo and those words mean more to me today than they did when I created them:

DISCOVER YOUR WILD. LIVE ADVENTUROUSLY.

They were never just a strapline.

I think, without fully realising it at the time, they were a promise I was making to myself.

Three years later, I find myself looking towards the horizon again.

I don't know exactly where BILA goes from here.

Maybe that's fitting.

Because the best adventures I've had rarely began with knowing exactly where they'd lead.

So, where next?

31/08/2026

29/08/2026

A difficult week, but a reminder of what really matters.

Ted gave us quite the scare this week. A sudden infection meant an immediate operation, potentially caused by a snake bite after piercing wounds were found. Thankfully, he’s recovered brilliantly and is already back to his usual bouncy, mischievous self.

Moments like this have a way of putting life back into perspective. We never really know what’s waiting around the next corner, but having these two by my side somehow makes every climb a little easier, every view a little better, and every difficult day worth pushing through.

So we keep going.

More of Sid & Ted’s Excellent Adventures — from mountains to fields, forests to beaches, and wherever the path decides to take us next.

We work hard, we play hard, and we make the most of the time and freedom we’re fortunate enough to have. Life won’t always give us the journey we planned, but there will always be another trail to follow, another summit to reach, and hopefully brighter skies beyond the clouds.

Here’s to healing, adventure, and whatever comes next. 🐾⛰️❤️

nature heals

16/08/2026

12/08/2026

Day 6 — Over Applecross to Isle of Skye.

🌄 Mountains and sunshine

Some roads aren’t meant to be rushed.

Over the Applecross Pass, through the mountains and on towards the Isle of Skye. Narrow roads, big drops, long views — the kind of driving that demands your full attention and leaves very little room for anything else.

Then came the climb up to the Old Man of Storr. Legs working, dogs pulling ahead, one foot in front of the other.

There’s something very Stoic about days like this.

You can’t control the road ahead. You can’t flatten the mountain or change the weather. You can only deal with what’s directly in front of you — the next bend, the next step, the next breath.

Maybe that’s part of why I love these trips.

Movement without rushing. Adventure without needing everything planned. Being present enough to notice where you actually are.

And at the end of it all, another campsite beside the loch and a chance to sit still for a while.

Day 6. A good reminder that sometimes peace isn’t found by stopping.

Sometimes you find it in the movement.

Stoicism Adventure BePresent

11/08/2026

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 NC500 — Day 5 🚙🐾

Yesterday was one of those days where Scotland just kept showing off. 88 miles of winding Highland roads, waterfalls, mountains, beaches and views that had us stopping every five minutes.

We started with Meall Mhor at Ullapool Hill, climbing above Ullapool to take in those huge Highland views — made even better with our two four-legged adventure buddies posing like they owned the place. 🐶⛰️

Next stop was the Falls of Measach — a dramatic waterfall plunging into the deep Corrieshalloch Gorge. The sheer scale of the place is incredible, with rushing water, steep rock walls and that wild, untouched feeling you only seem to get up here. 💦🌿

Then on to Ardessie Falls, another beautiful Highland stop surrounded by rugged mountains and open landscape. Quiet, wild and absolutely stunning — exactly what we came to the NC500 for.

We also stopped at the Pool House WWII Headquarters but it was closed so we grabbed a drink to pause in the warm sun for 20 min.

And then… the perfect ending. 🔥
Back to the coast, boots off, fire lit and watching the sun disappear over the sea. There’s something pretty special about sitting on a Highland beach beside a fire after a full day exploring.

The roads themselves deserve a mention too — mountains appearing in the mirrors, single-track roads twisting through the landscape and another incredible view around every corner. 🚙🏔️

Day 5, you were a beauty.

If you could pick just ONE from this day — mountain hike, waterfall, Highland road trip or sunset beach fire — which are you choosing? 👇

Ullapool FallsOfMeasach ArdessieFalls Highlands VisitScotland ScotlandExplored RoadTripScotland HighlandAdventure DogAdventure DogsOfScotland ScotlandWithDogs VanLifeScotland WildScotland BeachFire MakingMemories