A gap year student from Northwood has been exploring the Scottish wilds by cycle and on foot – with the aid of a grant.

Jane Williamson, 19, was assisted by the wild places charity, the John Muir Trust.

She was inspired to explore a more ‘nature centric’ lifestyle following a school project on how biodiversity in nature underpins human health.

She grew up in the North of Scotland, nurturing a love of wild places from a young age.

Jane is a member of UK Youth for Nature, campaigning to put nature on the political agenda, and will study Biology at the University of St Andrews this year.

She started her adventure in June and spent six weeks travelling through the Scottish Highlands on a route connecting wild places.

She visited sites where work is already underway to help ecosytems thrive, including land protected and managed by the John Muir Trust.

Jane is now hoping to turn her experiences into a book.

She is one of eight successful applicants for the Des Rubens and Bill Wallace Grant this year.

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