Walk this way
For visitors strolling along Peebles’ vibrant High Street, there are delights to be found in the nearby Old Town – and none more so than the wonderful Out & About
Treasure trove. Aladdin’s Cave. A Peebles institution. All are appropriate descriptions for an outdoor retailer that, since first opening in 1992, has provided top-quality gear and local knowledge galore to customers from near and far.
Run by Helen and David Farmer – both keen hill walkers and mountaineers – Out & About is the northern branch of a family business that first began in Harrogate in 1987. The ethos is simple enough. “Ever since opening, we’ve offered products that we’d use ourselves when enjoying the outdoors,” explains Helen.
The shop packs much into a modest space, with everything from handy outdoor accessories – maps, tents pegs, walking socks, storage bags and more – to larger items: rucksacks, boots and waterproof clothing.
Out & About works with brands from all over the world but with a particular emphasis on products that work well in our rather damp climate. Key clothing brands include Páramo and Rab® – both UK companies built on their respective founders’ experiences in the mountains – while it has also worked with the UK distributors of innovative Italian footwear company SCARPA® since its earliest days.
Dig a little deeper though and it’s clear that many are products with purpose. Páramo, for instance, has a long-term manufacturing partnership with the charitable Miquelina Foundation in Colombia that provides high skilled employment for vulnerable women and practical help for their families.
There is a strong sustainability focus too. “Their waterproofs typically last longer than conventional waterproofs, with the waterproofing renewable throughout their life using Nikwax® wash-in treatments and they are readily repairable,” explains Helen (pictured above). “We offer the Páramo Recycling scheme to help save garments from landfill and reward the owner with discounts on the purchase of a replacement.”
Helen also has a magpie’s eye for clever bits of kit. “I’m a sucker for a well-designed accessory and recently we’ve expanded our range from Sea to Summit – an Australian company founded, like us, in the early 90s,” she says. “We sell their drybags, pack towels, pillows, camping kitchenware and other accessories.”
One of the joys of running the shop is never quite knowing who is about to come through the door – and why! Summer often brings long distance hikers to the Tweed Valley, with many dropping in to pick up supplies while following routes such as the Southern Upland Way or the Cross Borders Drove Road.
And then there are the really serious walkers tackling Scotland’s National Trail from Kirk Yetholm to Cape Wrath or Land’s End to John o’ Groats. “We had a 70-year-old man pass through on his way north to John o’ Groats this summer,” recalls Helen. “When he got there, he turned around and walked all the way back to Land’s End. He was crunching the miles much quicker than walkers half his age!”
When not in the shop, Helen and David like nothing better than to unwind in the hills themselves. “Even after all this time we haven’t exhausted new corners of the Tweed Valley to explore and are always happy to share our accumulated knowledge,” she says.
“Most importantly we love hearing stories about what our customers get up to. It helps inform the advice we give them on products and we’ve received many tips in return – from campsite recommendations to the best route up remote Munros. The outdoor industry is definitely a friendly community and we try to play our part in that!”
Further information
Drop into the Go Tweed Valley visitor information centre and ask for an Out & About gift card – you’ll be able to enjoy a 10% discount on all first purchases at the store!