Outdoor equipment
Young people have been able to experience the great outdoors in places like Torridon, the Moray Coast and the Cairngorms thanks to the work of outdoor charity Àban.
In 2025, the charity enabled 281 young people to experience activities such as rock climbing, hiking, biking and camping, clocking up 11,077 hours of contact time in outdoor locations across the North.
The Gordon & Ena Baxter Foundation, along with the Margaret Douglas Trust, jointly funded new climbing equipment and outdoor shelters to help enable this transformative work.
Based in the heart of Merkinch, Aban's core charitable work consists of weekly £1-to-access outdoor youth groups such as mountaineering and rock climbing clubs. It also runs residentials for school children as well as a number of activities to support its charitable work. That includes a number of charitable adventures - such as the Kessock Swim - as well as a second-hand online shop.
"Thanks to joint funding from The Gordon & Ena Baxter Foundation and the Margaret Douglas Trust, Àban was able to purchase brand new climbing equipment. This funding has made it possible for our participants to experience the excitement of outdoor rock climbing in amazing places like the Moray coast, the Cairngorms and Torridon.
"We’ve also been able to purchase a fantastic group shelter for use during overnights and residentials. All this is about much more than the activities themselves: for children growing up in some of the most disadvantaged parts of the Highlands, this generous grant has created opportunities for genuine empowerment and positive relationships with peers & adults."
Johannes Petersen, Chief Officer Àban