The Western Isles might not immediately strike most people as the most obvious honeymoon destination however it was to Monty’s Cottage in North Uist that Emily Durie and her husband Alex escaped to after they’d tied the knot.

Fast forward four years and Emily was in her own house, running a croft, raising her family on the island and working on her great idea, Otter Mountain, to get children back into the Uist outdoors.

A teacher, who has specialised in outdoor learning, Emily initially worked with Ùrachadh Uibhist and developed the concept of having the children learning outside, in all weathers. Originally, due to space constraints this idea of using the outdoors as an alternative ‘room’ has proved popular with the children, their parents and nurseries across all of our islands. With this, the problem was solver and Otter Mountain was born (formerly, Wild Things Uist) Her developments were rolled out to all five of our island nurseries and her findings showed the project as a great success. Otter Mountain is also hosting activities in the community, so families and kids of all ages can join in the outdoor fun.

It’s recommended that children should spend at least five hours outside per day, which in the modern world proves difficult to achieve. Emily hopes to make this a reality for the preschool children of Uist through the Otter Mountain.

Over the last few years the weather has never kept Emily and her hardy nursery children indoors and they haven’t cancelled a single play session yet. Instead, with all-weather suits and plenty of layers, the kids brave the elements in any conditions to keep their imaginations and explorations alive. There have only been two rescheduled locations to the more sheltered North Uist woodland and to the Claddach Kirkibost Centre.

“To use the natural resources available to you then play can go anywhere. A fish crate can be a rocket, a boat, a seat or anything you imagine it to be.” Everybody’s idea is useful and valid when they have no barriers.

“Children learn about environmental changes throughout the year. They’ve taken whatever the weather has thrown at them and had a cracking time and they see that it’s ok to get cold. If they want to make a den and it’s too windy then they have to work together and try and solve the problem using what’s available to them in the landscape and the natural resources which surround them.  We also now have a bell-tent to provide some shelter and gather together outside and for when the weather gets really ropey.”

“Our bell tent has been great, we’ve used it as an outdoor kitchen and as a meeting place, it’s our hub and it’s become our symbol too.”

“There is value in children feeling bored and there is so much outside to engage them. All kids know how to play and walls can be restrictive”

Emily has been busy designing outdoor activities over the last few years. Youngsters have been able to climb summits and go on rainbow trails, activity trails and wildlife trails with their families to discover and explore together. These have been all over the place between be in Loch Sgiopport, Island Flodda, Scolpaig, Lochmaddy, Loch Eynort as well as a few other locations and many families have taken the journey to explore and imagine through these trails together.

“I’ve done a few collaborations with Island Dreams where I do the activities and she makes it all look beautiful. We’ve got plans in the future to work together more and bring a bit of magic to the island and to the people. There are so many children and young families here and in order to make them feel valued we have to include them in community events and I’m really excited about what’s to come in the future.”

After 4 years,  30+ play sessions with all 5 nurseries on the islands, 15+ play locations and over 30 Wee Wildlings playgroups, the initial feasibility study of Wild Things Uist, came to an end. However the effort and success of Emily’s work means that the project has continued under it’s new name and is being run independently from Ùrachadh Uibhist.

I’m grateful to Ùrachadh Uibhist for helping with getting the funding in the first place and encouraging the business to grow and develop. The time has come for me to have a go doing it myself and I’m excited about the future.”

In the future, Otter Mountain will continue to expand and encourage children and their families to explore and appreciate our natural environment, bringing people together with nature to see and learn about the beauty on our doorstep. Follow, take part and learn more about the trails and activities of the Wild Things Nursery online.