In Highland the weather is very rarely in our favour. It can be wet, windy and bitterly cold and often switch between four seasons in just one day.
Lack of appropriate clothing and equipment is often described as a barrier to people participating in green health activities and good quality clothing and equipment can make the difference between a great first experience, and never wanting to step outside again.
Good quality outdoor clothing can be expensive and especially so for families – as children will outgrow their kit quickly. Through the Think Health Think Nature initiative we are exploring and sharing ways to share and recycle outdoor clothing and equipment here in Highland.
Buy-Sell Swap sites have popped up in almost every community across Highland and some charity shops are now setting aside space specifically for outdoor gear. High Life Highland, have recently launched ‘Kit for All’ in some areas where donations are made and volunteers catalogue and redistribute unloved or outgrown clothing to those that request it.
In November 2021, I had attended the Cairngorms Ski Club sale for the very first time. Skiing is an expensive sport and enjoyed by more than most in Aviemore, due to the proximity to the ski area and the subsidised ski programmes for local school children. The Cairngorm Ski Club Annual sale plays an important role in raising funds for the local club but also in helping make kit more affordable to those that wish to take part. It’s not just ski equipment that’s available. There’s all sorts of outdoor clothing including hats, gloves waterproofs and winter boots on sale at bargain prices.
I volunteered to help out on the day and on the the morning of the sale we gathered at the Dalfaber Golf and Country Club to receive goods. Individuals dropped off their equipment with the price they would like to sell them for. Items were laid out in categories across the hall. Once sold a % of the sale price would go to the club while the rest went back to the individuals. Everything had to be tagged and coded and correspond with a large ledger. There were also donations of items with no expectation of payment in return. A enormous amount of equipment and transactions were handled.
At 1.30pm the deposits were closed, the volunteers dusted themselves down and the doors to the sale were opened again at 3pm. By this point a large queue had formed outside. A payment of 50p was taken to enter the sale and for two hours the hall was buzzing with activity.
It is a massive undertaking, requiring a huge team of volunteers and requires a whole weekend, however it is well established, having been run now for over 40 years. It is very popular and reaps great benefits for the local ski club raising around £4000 each year. Items that are unsold, are either claimed back by their owners or donated to charity.
Skiing is quite a niche market for Aviemore, but this is a model that could be repeated in other areas, for other outdoor equipment or sports.
More information about the ski club sale can be found on their dedicated Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/Cairngorm-Ski-Club-Snowsports-Equipment-Sale-493726470704073