Adventurer, photographer & mental health advocate
EDDIE
FITZPATRICK
Hi Eddie, please introduce yourself…
I’m Eddie, a Scottish Adventurer, photographer and lover of the outdoors! I’m passionate about adventure, learning & sharing stories to make positive changes in people’s lives and their surroundings. Growing up in Glasgow with the Scottish mountains practically on my doorstep always called for adventures! I spend a lot of time on the hills, exploring Scotland’s incredible scenery with my camera. My goal is to use photography to show the beauty of the planet we live on, and to encourage genuine connection to the outdoors.
Do you consider yourself to have any mental health issues?
I don’t consider myself to have any mental health issues. However, we all have mental health and sometimes it’s good and other times it’s bad. I certainly have struggled more with my mental health throughout the pandemic, although I found speaking up really does help.
How do you think getting outside improves mental health?
I think it is important to remember that what works for one person will not work for all. For me the outdoors is my space to be free. This doesn’t mean that on the summit of every munro my feelings are instantly forgotten about, but sometimes being surrounded by fresh air, nature and like-minded people remind me that it is going to be okay. Adventure has brought me many memories with so many amazing people and the outdoors is definitely a place that helps me clear my head.
Has someone ever initiated a conversation about their mental health with you and if so, can you tell me a little bit about this?
I speak to my friends and family quite openly about my mental health and I like to think that I am an approachable person. A question we all ask very often is “are you okay?” this tends to be the quickest part of conversations. I know I am not great at this and it is something I am trying to improve but I think we really need to focus on hearing the answer to this and providing support if needed.
Do you have a favourite place to go when you need some downtime, if so where?
For me happiness is out in the mountains! But it’s safe to say Glencoe is my favourite, it’s where I feel most alive! You could be standing on top of a munro or just driving through; in scorching sunshine or hail rain sleet and snow, it will always look incredible. Glencoe has always had a special place in my heart because it always reminds me of adventure, especially my very first one on the West Highland Way.
Finally – What two items would you take with you to a desert island?
Number one for me would definitely need to be a friend, I couldn’t go a day without having a conversation. I think if I was completely on my own I wouldn’t last very long. Nothing beats a good old conversation.
Secondly would need to be my camera (obviously with a battery that doesn’t die if such a thing exists) because if I love capturing moments and being stuck on a dessert island with a friend would make one hell of a photo journal.
Follow Eddie for his inspirational adventures and stunning photography here…
Visit his Ordnance Survey Get Outside Profile to learn more about him too…