Scottish outdoor brand continues its support for the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland as 97 volunteers clock up almost 2,000 hours maintaining 398km of eroded mountain paths in 2026.
The Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland (OATS), the ground-breaking environmental charity promoting sustainable public access, is delighted to announce that Scottish outdoor clothing brand Keela has continued its commitment to improving safe access to Scotland’s mountain paths by donating £5,000 to the OATS annual path maintenance volunteer programme.
In 2026, OATS has carried out 45 volunteer events at 33 different locations, both upland and lowland paths, mainly in the Cairngorms National Park, as part of their annual Path Maintenance Volunteer Programme. Most of these events were fully booked with a waiting list.
A total of 271 volunteer days were worked by 97 different volunteers (44 of whom attended two or more sessions), in which 398km of path were maintained, and 2565 path drainage features were cleared. This equates to 1991 volunteer hours and a mountain path contractor value of approximately £79,640.
Through their People and Planet Fund, Fife-based family firm Keela allocates 2% of their online sales to projects that support outdoor initiatives and charities, and to projects that enhance the environment and improve and encourage access to it.
With their recent donation, Keela continues its generous support of OATS’ projects. In 2025 they donated £2000 to the annual path maintenance volunteer programme and £3000 to the An Teallach mountain path restoration project, managed by OATS and Mountaineering Scotland as part of their ongoing partnership campaign, It’s Up to Us.
April Hazell, Marketing Manager at Keela said: “We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with OATS and support the incredible work of its path maintenance volunteers. They give up their own time to care for the paths so many of us enjoy, and their dedication makes a real difference.
“At Keela, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. Helping these volunteers protect Scotland’s paths and keep them accessible for years to come is something we’re proud to support.”
Eva Kupska, Outdoor Access Volunteer Coordinator at the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland, said: “We are delighted to have the continued support from such a highly respected outdoor clothing brand. Our partnership with Keela demonstrates what can be done when we all contribute and work together to protect our iconic mountain landscapes for future generations to enjoy.
“Thanks to Keela’s generous donations, we have been able to expand the OATS’ path maintenance volunteer programme. This allows us to protect more upland footpaths and to give our volunteers more opportunities to keep our outdoor spaces safe and accessible.
“It has also enabled us to incorporate a few lowland conservation days into the programme. These events are not as physically demanding as some of the hill days, meaning a wider range of people can take part.”
Additional Information:
From their base on the east coast of Scotland since 1989, Keela have been pushing the boundaries of outdoor gear design to provide the highest-quality kit, without the big-brand price tag. The first Keela kit was tried and tested by local mountain rescue teams. Today, you’ll find their gear worn wherever extreme conditions demand the ultimate in technology, performance and durability, including mountain path building and restoration project contractors.
Keela’s People & Planet Fund supports projects that improve the great outdoors and helps people to experience it. Keela allocates 2% of their online sales to support outdoor initiatives, charities, and projects that enhance our planet and improve access to it:
- 1% for the People: This portion of the fund supports initiatives that help and encourage children and adults from all walks of life to explore and enjoy the outdoors, especially those who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity.
- 1% for the Planet: This portion of the fund is dedicated to protecting and preserving our environment for future generations.
At Keela, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword – it’s a core value stitched into every garment they make. For over 50 years, their Clothing Hospital has been repairing kit within their UK factory. Whether your kit has seen one storm or a hundred, their team will do everything they can to bring it back to life – ready for your next adventure.
Now, building on that legacy and reinforcing their commitment to UK manufacturing and responsible production, Keela have launched the Legacy Project – an eight-branch initiative dedicated to rescuing, repairing, and reworking worn-out garments before they reach landfill, giving them a renewed purpose, extending their life and reducing their environmental footprint. They can also offer discontinued lines, refurbished items and limited runs from spare rolls of fabric.
Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland
The Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland (OATS) is a ground-breaking environmental charity. We promote sustainable access – developing, building and fixing upland and lowland paths, path networks, habitats and trailhead facilities, in popular, remote, and fragile places. We do this to support outdoors enthusiasts, land managers and local communities, and promote the health and wellbeing benefits of path use. We are at the forefront of developing partnerships to finance conservation projects, collaborating with others to make Scotland’s outdoor access network fit for the future, and bringing people together to learn how to make places that matter better for all.
Websites: OATS website | OATS Annual Path Maintenance Volunteer Programme | OATS Path Maintenance Volunteer Portal
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