About Us

Venturing Out is East Lothian’s premier outdoor activities provider offering adventures to all.

Whether you are looking for holiday activities for the kids, a coastal journey on paddleboards, a staff team away day or a private party, we have it all. Please browse our website and let us know how we can help.

We are a Not for Profit Company. Buying from us means we can offer activities to local families whose children have additional support needs, those living with financial hardship and other socially disadvantaged people. This helps improve communities and people’s life chances.

We are a team of highly qualified outdoor professionals with a wealth of experience. It is our aim to give you a fun and safe experience not to be forgotten.

Safety is paramount. We hold an Adventure Activities Licence (AALS), a legal requirement for many activities with under 18’s within the UK. All staff are outdoor first aid trained and all are PVG checked for working with children and vulnerable adults. We work in partnership with East Lothian Council, are an Approved Provider for The City of Edinburgh Council and hold an AAP Licence for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Who’s Who

Antony Stone’s role is operations, staffing and delivery of activities. He has over 20 years of experience working as an outdoor professional. He holds a wide range of professional coaching and guiding qualifications for Mountain, Rock, Mountain Biking and Water activities.

Over the years Antony has held various instructional and youth work roles at a variety of outdoor centres and organisations. In 2009 he set up Venturing Out and In 2016 made the decision to incorporate Venturing Out as a Community Interest Company.

His desire to make adventurous activity available to all is what moves the business forward. “Everyone should have the option to reap the wide ranging benefits of taking part in adventurous outdoor activity”.

When not working with groups Antony can be found outdoors, either in the hills, the sea, a river or a MTB trail centre.

Claire Mackenzie’s role encompasses business development and marketing as well as delivering group activities. Claire holds qualifications for hill, water, trail cycling and archery activities.

She joined Venturing Out in 2017. She is a firm believer of equality and inclusion and has been a driving factor towards the direction of the company’s social aims and impact.

Claire has many years of hill walking and cycling experience and is a keen amateur triathlete.

In her spare time Claire enjoys the tranquillity of the hills, a coastal paddle and time out with her kids.

Associate Staff

Venturing Out use a team of associate outdoor instructional staff. All are very experienced at working with a wide range of ages and abilities and each is very well qualified for whatever activities they deliver. We select our staff based on personality, experience and of course qualification. It is our aim to give everyone who takes part in our activities a fun, safe and memorable experience that makes them want to come back for more.

Blair Aitken has been exploring East Lothian on bike and foot since he was a child growing up near Ormiston. Although he is a qualified teacher he prefers to work outdoors than in the classroom. He has a wide range of interests including rock climbing, mountain biking, canoeing, hillwalking and ski touring. 

Chris Green grew up in Cornwall and being outside was a major part of Chris' childhood, whether it was hiking on the moors and coast path or getting in the sea surfing and coasteering. The decision to pursue a career in the outdoor industry was an easy one, allowing him to share what he loves with people from all walks of life. Chris loves the headspace that the outdoors gives him and is happiest when in the sea or up a mountain.

Sean Rodgers Jones - I love the outdoors, it makes me feel free, it helps me sort out everything in my head and helps me to put it into place. It doesn't matter if it's rain, snow hail or sun. I just come away feeling happy. 

Craig Burry

Angie Kinghorn

Management Committee

Venturing Out’s Management Committee are an advisory group of individuals who have a love of the outdoors and a keen interest in Venturing Out’s diverse programmes and social objectives. They have a broad range of working and personal experience that is relative to the work that we do. Good governance and transparency is a key part of not for profit trading. Our management committee are well placed to help shape the future of the organisation and help ensure we meet our community interest obligations.

Heather Falconer has a passion for all things outdoors, she is a keen mountain biker and loves nothing more than taking to the hills. Heather had worked in the outdoor sector, on and off, in a trainee capacity and is now working as a mental health nurse for the NHS. In her spare time Heather is now undertaking the Outdoor and Adventure Therapeutic Practice PgCert at the University of Highlands and Islands.

Carrie Murray is an additional support needs specialist and is a parent to two autistic children. She has attended activities with Venturing Out for many years. Carry has a background of events management and is a keen horse rider. She is an advocate of third sector organisations, particularly those that help change the lives of people with ASN’s. Carry is an ideal candidate for our committee with first hand experience of working with people with additional support needs.

Alun Joseph is a local business owner with a keen interest in the great outdoors. He has 2 young children who have attended Venturing Out holiday sessions and he is passionate about supporting the work of an organisation who enable access to adventurous outdoor activities for all. Alun brings a wealth of business experience and the ability to question and challenge. His advice and guidance is greatly valued.

VOLT - Volunteer Outdoor Learning Team

In partnership with East Lothian Council Outdoor Learning Service, we have a volunteer team who help with the delivery of various activities throughout the year. VOLT members can volunteer for both organisations and are a key requirement to us meeting our ambition of inclusivity. If you believe that you could be an asset to the VOLT team and would like further information please get in touch.