Yesterday we visited Mugdock Country Park, and before we did, we had to check whether we had actually been there before. We searched on our phones and searched my blog, and as I always say, if I don't remember visiting a place, then for now, my conclusion is that I haven't visited it. Well, I was wrong. We had actually been to Mugdock before, but we had never really explored the country park itself. We had gone on a date to one of the restaurants within the park, and I remember enjoying the meal and wandering around the lovely garden centre beside it, but that was about it. So this time we decided to visit Mugdock properly. Like always, I woke up feeling that I couldn't let this holiday pass without getting outside and enjoying God's creation. I got ready and spent some time reading blogs, we ate and eventually headed out. The funny thing is that we have driven along the road leading to Mugdock several times. It is one of those places that is close to the city but somehow feels far away from it, and I really like that about it. When we arrived, I realised we were back in the same area we had visited before. That first time it had been raining, so we stayed around the restaurant, but this time we went further into the park. There is a visitor centre, cafés, shops, a garden centre, gallery spaces, open grounds, woodland and plenty of paths, so there was quite a lot to look around before we even started our walk. We also ended up having one of those random conversations with a man we had never met before. He was joking about his wife wanting him to retire because, according to him, she already had plans for the two of them to be going shopping together all the time. It was such an ordinary conversation, but I actually enjoyed it. Sometimes little moments like that make an outing feel warmer. We walked towards the new playpark, and I immediately understood why families would enjoy this place. The playground was officially opened in June 2026 and has been completely upgraded, with an owl play structure, slides, rope climbing, swings, a zipline, a frog seesaw, a tipi carousel and other features inspired by wildlife found around Mugdock. It is enclosed, spacious and feels like a place where children can actually run around and enjoy themselves while parents can relax nearby. We then continued walking, enjoying the views and taking in the surroundings. At some point we realised we had taken a different route from the one we had been told to take. We had spoken to an older couple who told us it would take around 20 minutes to get to the castle, and because we were in Mugdock Country Park, we naturally assumed they meant Mugdock Castle. We were wrong again. We eventually found ourselves at the ruins of Craigend Castle instead. I am going to save the proper history of Craigend Castle for another post because there is quite a bit to say about it, but for now, just know that Mugdock has more than one historic castle site and our little wrong turn took us to Craigend. The ruins were covered in vegetation and barricaded, so we couldn't get as close as we would have liked, but I still took some photographs and enjoyed seeing it for myself. And honestly, this is where I had to be honest with myself about the park. Mugdock is beautiful, but I didn't feel that immediate connection I have felt in some other parks. I have visited places that gave me butterflies and made me stop and stare, and I think once you've experienced that kind of beauty, it can affect the way you see another place. It doesn't mean the place isn't beautiful. Sometimes you've simply seen something that affected you differently. Maybe that was what happened to me yesterday. I was happy, I enjoyed myself and I appreciated being there, but I didn't have that feeling of being completely taken by the place. Still, I think Mugdock is lovely. I especially like the fact that you can enter the park for free and have so much space to enjoy. You can walk, hike, run, cycle, walk your dog, picnic, explore the woodland, follow trails, look out for wildlife, visit the historic areas, stop for something to eat or simply sit somewhere and enjoy being outside. The park is also clearly a place for people of different ages. I saw quite a few older people walking around, and I genuinely loved seeing that because people deserve safe and welcoming places where they can simply go outside, move around and enjoy their lives. We visited on a weekday, so it wasn't particularly busy, although I imagine it is much livelier on weekends and during events. One thing I will say, though, is about dog owners. We saw dog mess left on the ground in places where children and other visitors were walking. If you choose to have a dog, please be responsible enough to clean up after it. Pick up after your dog. It really is that simple. Everyone should be able to enjoy the park without having to watch where they step.
Now, about the zoo. I almost entered, I really did. I walked through the front door and immediately knew this was not going to work for me. I cannot stand the smell of animals. I don't even go near the animal food section in Tesco because of the smell, so imagine me walking into a zoo. The smell was exactly what I was trying to avoid, so I turned around and left immediately. No shame in knowing your limits. I went back outside and carried on walking around the park instead, taking in all the greenery and watching some people playing football. I actually loved that part of my visit because there was something so simple about just wandering around, breathing in the fresh air and letting my mind settle. I also had my first ever taste of potatoes with curry that day, and honestly, it wasn't bad at all. Calderglen Country Park is on Strathaven Road in St Leonards, East Kilbride, G75 0QZ, with parking facilities including a main car park and accessible parking. There is plenty to do whether you want a peaceful walk, a family day out, a picnic, some food at the Courtyard Café, a little adventure with the children, golf, nature photography or simply somewhere to escape after work. For me, though, it was just a late afternoon visit that turned into a really lovely memory. Sometimes that is all you need.
I received some amazing gear from Under Armour recently—they actually sent over two full sets of activewear, including their latest shoes!
My partner and I took a trip out to the Inversnaid RSPB Nature Reserve on the eastern banks of Loch Lomond, and I couldn't wait to share the photos with you all. That trip is actually where these photos were taken, because on a whim, I decided to wear one of the shoes Under Armour sent—the UA Velociti Distance—out on the trail.
Oh my goodness, it turned out to be the absolute best choice.
Anyone who knows me knows I hike a lot. For years, I’ve been tramping around in traditional, stiff hiking boots. The thing about heavy footwear is that you get so used to the weight that you don't even realize how much energy it saps out of you. You finish a long trail thinking your legs are just tired from the distance, when really, half the battle was swinging those heavy soles with every single step.
Wearing a high-cushion road runner like the Velociti Distance on a nature walk was an eye-opener. It made me reflect on just how much running footwear has evolved over the past few years.
How Footwear Has Evolved
It used to be that running shoes were stripped back to almost nothing or were so firm that your knees took the brunt of every footstrike. But brands are shifting. Today, the focus is squarely on leg preservation, joint protection, and keeping your body feeling fresh whether you're logging 15 miles on asphalt or spending five hours on your feet outdoors.
That’s where the UA Velociti collection really shines. The UA Velociti Distance is technically designed as a max-cushion, high-mileage road trainer built to protect your joints during long marathon prep and daily recovery runs.
Here is a brief look at what’s going on inside the shoe:
Cushioning: A generous 38 mm heel stack and 32 mm forefoot (giving it a balanced 6 mm drop) filled with UA’s responsive HOVR+ foam.
Ride Feel: Stable, slightly structured, with an incredible heel lock that stops your foot from sliding around.
Weight: Roughly 344 grams (11.8 oz).
Ideal For: High-mileage road runs, recovery days, and—as I accidentally discovered—long, scenic walking trails.
Why choose a running shoe for the trail?
When you take a shoe with a 38 mm stack of plush HOVR+ foam off the pavement and onto woodland trails, the difference in fatigue is night and day. Because the cushioning absorbs so much of the ground impact, your ankles, knees, and hips don't take a beating. Combine that protection with a shoe that weighs a fraction of a heavy leather hiking boot, and suddenly hiking feels effortlessly smooth and so much less tiring.
I’m definitely not trying to sell you anything here—just giving an honest, personal perspective from someone who loves spending hours outdoors. Under Armour sent the gear over, but the experience on the trail was all mine.
I actually posted a quick hiking video over on my Instagram if you want to see how the trail looked (and how the full set looked in action!).
If you’ve been feeling battered or exhausted after your usual long weekend walks or runs, take a look at what you’re wearing on your feet. Modern cushion technology isn't just a marketing trend—it's a game-changer for keeping your legs alive and enjoying the outdoors a whole lot longer.
There is something unmatched about a proper day out in nature to reset the mind. Recently, I took a trip up to Loch Lomond for an absolute dream of a day, filled with a solid hike, some incredible views, and even a freezing, refreshing open-water swim to cap it off.
When you're packing for a trip like this that involves shifting from rugged trails straight to the water, your gear has to be versatile, comfortable, and tough enough to handle whatever you throw at it. Here is a breakdown of what I brought along, how it performed, and the story behind the collection.
For this adventure, I wanted to put some technical running pieces through a real off-road test. Here is the exact kit I wore:
UA Infinity High 2.0 Bra (1384112-001) in White: Super supportive and breathable, making it easy to stay comfortable whether you're scrambling up a steep incline or cooling down after a swim.
UA Velociti Tights (6009493-498): Completely unrestrictive and lightweight, giving me total freedom of movement on the uneven terrain.
UA W Velociti Distance Running Shoes (6006031-104): Honestly, I wasn’t totally sure how a dedicated running shoe would hold up off-road on a rugged hike. But they completely surprised me—offering solid, reliable grip and keeping my feet feeling great the entire time.
The whole vibe and purpose behind the Under Armour Velociti collection is precision-engineered performance tailored to the miles you're logging. Under Armour designed this lineup to give runners specific tools for different phases of their training:
The Velociti Elite: Built as the ultimate, high-energy race-day super shoe. It’s packed with explosive propulsion for when you’re chasing personal bests on the pavement.
The Velociti Distance: Your go-to high-mileage workhorse. It features deep, plush cushioning and support designed to protect your legs and keep you comfortable when you're out on long, grueling training sessions.
Turns out, this gear isn't just fast on the road—it transitions surprisingly well into a full day of outdoor exploring.
If you’ve been spending too much time indoors staring at screens lately, consider this your official push. Pack a bag, grab some comfortable gear, and go for a hike or a long walk this weekend. Whether it's tackling a local trail, exploring a scenic loch, or just getting some fresh air, your mind and body will thank you for it.
Do you have any plans for the weekend? happy weekend.
