Bheòshlaint
As part of our final self-initiated project, I was given the opportunity to define my own brief, an exciting chance to explore a subject that resonates deeply with me both personally and creatively. I chose to centre my project around Scottish mountains. This decision stems not only from a strong design potential I see within the subject but from a lifelong passion for the outdoors. Hillwalking, camping, and being immersed in nature have been part of my life since childhood. Some of my earliest and fondest memories are of climbing hills with my dad, my brother, and my local scout group. These experiences sparked a love for the landscape that has only grown stronger with time.
Today, I continue to explore the hills and mountains of the UK with friends and family, steadily working my way through the Munros. The sense of adventure, the physical challenge, and the deep connection to nature that hillwalking provides have become a significant part of who I am. I hold a deep respect for the natural world, and that reverence has become a core influence in my approach to design. Just a weekend before this project began, I climbed Beinn Ime in Arrochar with three close friends. With several more Munros planned in the months ahead, it felt like the perfect moment to draw from these experiences and use them as a foundation for meaningful research and creative exploration. This project is not just about designing for the outdoors, it’s about celebrating it, understanding it, and creating something that speaks to those who share that same connection to the Scottish landscape.
After several weeks of both desk and primary research—including interviews, stakeholder mapping, research card development, expert consultations, and more—I was able to uncover a clear design opportunity. In Scotland, there remains a disconnect between hill walkers and the broader ecological networks of the mountains. While many admire nature’s beauty and follow responsible practices, human presence still leaves a notable impact. Countless wonders remain hidden from the human eye. Scotland’s ecosystems are abundant and breathtaking, teeming with a diverse array of species. We are no larger or more significant than any other living being, yet we climb hills, often unaware of the full scope of our journey.
Bheòshlaint is a wearable vest designed for hill walkers, offering a deeper connection with the natural ecosystems they traverse. Bheòshlaint bridges this gap by not only protecting the environment but also enriching the walker’s journey. The vest is composed of multiple hexagonal panels, each serving a unique function. Equipped with a microphone, thermal camera, and photogrammetric camera, Bheòshlaint gathers real-time data on plant vitality, soil conditions, animal activity, and more.
As the wearer moves through the landscape, the vest translates this environmental data into tactile feed back – gentle vibrations across the chest – guiding them to minimise ecological disruption and maximise awareness. After the walk, the collected data is uploaded to a shared database, accessible to both fellow hill walkers and professionals such as ecologists and landscape advisors. This collaborative system supports long-term ecological understanding and conservation.
