'I love the look on his face' - The mum who takes her baby on wilderness adventures

Experienced mountaineer Morag Skelton has been climbing and skiing in Scotland's mountains all her adult life.

But she has recently added a new challenge to her adventures - taking along her nine-month-old baby.

Hamish has joined Morag on cross-country skiing expeditions, island-hopping camping trips and has even spent a night in a bothy.

Morag, 34, who lives in Inverness, says that because the outdoors have always brought her so much joy it was only natural she would want to share that with her son.

And she loves to see his reactions to the landscape and wildlife they encounter on their adventures.

Morag is an outdoor instructor at Glenmore Lodge, Scotland's national outdoor training centre.

She says Hamish is generally a happy baby - and that he's happiest being outside.

The only time he complains is when he's hungry.

She says: "Babies and kids thrive in the outdoors because of the endless natural sensory play - from the smell of fresh air and the pine forest to the touch of the varying textures to the sound of the trees swaying and the rivers running."

Morag says there is no need to pack lots of toys on these trips because sensory learning is free.

And when asked about the risks of taking a baby into the great outdoors, she says Hamish's safety takes priority over everything else.

With her professional outdoor training she can anticipate any potential challenges, monitor the weather, map read and assess the risks before any trips.

Morag says she personally finds it beneficial to be in nature.

"I find my own mental state is at its calmest outside whereas at home I can be overloaded with the chaos of housework," she says.

On one trip Morag hiked for 90 minutes to a remote bothy with six-month-old Hamish on her back in a child carrier.

They were accompanied by her friend Nicola Cameron, and both women also brought their pet dogs.

Bothies are basic shelters, where there is generally no electricity or running water.

Morag said Hamish was at "the ideal age where I didn't have to carry solid food for him yet and he wasn't yet crawling".

The trip was made easier with Nicola being there as she helped "keep spirits high".

The old university friends were able to catch up over the tealight candles while Hamish slept in Morag's arms.

Along with all the kit to consider for an overnight trip - including sleeping bags, a stove, food and clothes - Morag also had to pack eight nappies.

She conceded that was a "big faff" as she then had to take them all home with her.

Morag's favourite adventure with Hamish so far was an island-hopping wild camping trip to the Isles of Muck and Eigg in the Inner Hebrides last September.

That was her first overnight journey away with her son, who was just three months old at the time.

Morag, who used a three-wheel buggy to transport Hamish, says she kept the logistics very simple and camped a short 20-minute walk away from the ferry terminal.

She said the trip felt more adventurous as they were away from busy roads and praised the friendly island community.

Morag added that she was "determined that my outdoorsy lifestyle can continue whilst having a family".

She said: "Witnessing my baby experience these adventures for the very first time is special.

"I love seeing his facial expressions as he absorbs the landscapes, wildlife and different things around him."