23-06-2025
Ordnance Survey guides allow Scottish explorers to live the high life
Ordnance Survey, the country's national mapping agency, is the trusted voice you can rely on when it comes to walking and outdoors. They have an array of guidebooks, broken down to suit individual needs, or geographical areas, making it easier than ever to enjoy Scotland this summer.
'Medical experts say that spending time outside benefits us both physically and mentally,' explains Kris MacKenzie, Product Manager at Ordnance Survey. 'That's the main thing that we are trying to create – products that will enable people to get outside in an accessible way to help them live a happier and longer life.'
It's certainly a noble mission. And with their collection of 'Short Walks Made Easy' guidebooks, Ordnance Survey are determined to make Scotland's great outdoors reachable to everyone.
(Image: Kris MacKenzie, Product Manager at Ordnance Survey)
'Our 'Short Walks Made Easy' range offers introductory walks for those not wanting to go as far,' says Kris. 'They are between one and five miles, so very short, and they tend to be either flat or on gradual slopes – we aren't sending people up mountains. We've got accessibility information in there as well, telling people whether you can take a buggy down, whether there would be issues with gates.
'They are ideal for families. As well as following a map, we've got photos to help people navigate, which is great for kids to follow along and spot points of interest.
'We've built QR codes in, too, which links up to the OS Maps app, so children can get involved with scanning the QR code on the guidebook and seeing it show up on the phone.'
For more ambitious walkers, Ordnance Survey can be of just as much assistance. As well as Pathfinder guidebooks covering national parks and key areas of Scotland, they also have an inspirational coffee table book, 'Outstanding Walks Scotland'.
As the name suggests, this book offers recommendations for some of the very best routes in the country. Even for a keen walker like Kris – who frequently hikes and cycles around Scotland – there were completely new walks to be found within it.
'There's been a few routes in there that were close to home for me I had never seen before. Despite having worked for OS for years, our products still enable me to go and find new journeys and new places to visit. If you are sitting in of an evening, wondering where new you can go, we are giving you a recommended route that has already been walked by an author.'
That reliability, and quality control, is what sets Ordnance Survey apart from some of the online influencers promoting Scotland's outdoors.
'We know our routes are safe, our directions have been tried and tested by someone. We have relationships with mountain rescue, and they find that sometimes people are seeing cool places to visit online but then turning up ill-equipped. We are giving people the correct information to go and have a safe day out.'
(Image: The Short Walks Made Easy' range offers great introductory walks)
Indeed, the advice from mountain rescue is always to go out with a paper map and compass in case modern technology fails. 'You can scan the QR codes into our 'Short Walks Made Easy' range of guidebooks and use the OS Maps app, and many people use our physical and digital guides alongside each other. But technology has its downsides. If you are in a remote area sometimes you don't have signal, and batteries can deplete quickly, especially in the cold. So we still recommend people to take a printed copy of a map, as a backup.
'That's the nice thing with our products – you can go for a walk and just switch off. Even in the digital age, physical products still remain relevant, as a way to disconnect and help your mental health and wellbeing.'
And the Ordnance Survey products aren't just for walkers, either. They have recently released a 'Cycling Edinburgh with Sustrans' guidebook, ideal for families who want to get out on two wheels over the summer holidays.
Whatever your plans are over the summer, Ordnance Survey can offer inspiration and education.
'Our Pathfinder Guides are ideal for finding walks close to Glasgow and Edinburgh, for people who want to stay close to home. Or if you are heading to the north of England, we have a great selection of products covering the Lake District, Northumberland and beyond. We just want to help people explore the outdoors.'
