A Christmas Do, Outsiders-style, was never going to be your typical end-of-year party.
Regular Outsider Cheryl Lessels came up with the idea to take it to the beach – for games, challenges, a fire, s’mores – and the Scottish weather obliged!
On Friday 12th December 2025, 40 of us gathered on Portobello Beach to reflect on the year, share our wins and our learnings, and to have some fun.
As ever the group spirit was amazing, and everyone got stuck in! We came up with some games that involved beach Pictionary with a Christmas twist, which culminated in each team creating their best star!
Which do you think won?
At its heart of the event was the Icelandic Christmas Eve tradition of Jólabókaflóð (the “Christmas Book Flood”) – where everyone brought a book and a bar of chocolate, then exchanged them Secret Santa style. It’s a fantastic tradition that we’ll continue with in years to come!
Before we headed to the pub, Katie shared some reflections on another year of the Outsiders in a poem. Here you can read it in full:
An Ode to The Outsiders
Another year is closing, and before we start a year anew,
I want to share reflections, as our wonderful group turns two!
Twas’ the night before The Outsiders, and I’m checking I’m all ready.
I’ve recce’d the route, I’ve got the list, I know just where I’m heading.
The morning comes around, and I wake up all a flutter
I can’t help but be excited to hear all the friendly chatter.
I set off really early, to make sure that I’m on time,
And find Juan wandering in circles (coz he thought we met at 9!)
Folks arrive, the noise gets up, I hear a bark or two,
From Kip, and Douglas, Roddie, Skye and all our canine crew!
Then intro circles are such fun, each with a different host
We share a bit about ourselves and give our wins a toast
We take a walk, enjoy the scenes, and meet somebody new,
Of course, the fateful question comes – “where’s nearest loo?”
The prompts, the games, the what three words, we focus on the fun,
And somehow we’ve been blessed with our fair share of Scottish sun.
From Musselburgh, to Cramond Isle and the heights of Arthur’s Seat
Exploring Edinburgh’s finest spots is always such a treat.
I’d like to shine the spotlight, on efforts worth attention
Though of course there are so many more folks whom I could mention.
We’ve have elves within our presence, and they’ve really done a shift,
Cara arranged a food collection to give those in need a lift,
And back in Autumn Cheryl announced “we should have a Christmas Do”
So literally none of this would have happened if it wasn’t for you.
This year our group went global, we joined Outdoor Office Day,
We took over the Rangers station, and enjoyed some Scottish rays,
Charlie, Catlin and Lezanne, hosted an afternoon of activity,
And it helped us feel how time outdoors fuels our productivity.
It’s not been without it’s hiccups, and there have been a few,
Like the time we had some stragglers, and I didn’t know what to do,
Up stepped Jeannie and lovely Kip, for those who couldn’t climb,
And she took folks forest bathing and gave them a wonderful time.
We have local legends amongst us too, who have stepped up and led the way,
Damien took you to Cammo Estate, whilst I was on my holidays,
And Angela has connected us to Save The Roseburn Path Campaign,
And now lots of us are activists – our greenspace must remain.
But everyone who’s part of this group, makes it such a special thing
This community would be nothing without the energy you bring,
Here I’ve found my people, and I hope you feel the same
Business life can be a drag, but friends will keep us sane.
So…
Come rain, or shine, or hail or wind – whatever the Scottish weather.
Let’s keep exploring Edinburgh and beyond, and doing it together.
Thanks to everyone who has been a part of, or supported our group in 2025. We’ve had an absolute blast, and will continue to bang the drum for community, time outdoors and FUN 🙂
Here is a beautiful picture painted by fellow Outsider, Lezanne Scott, (@lezanne_scott_art on Instagram) of our group at Glencorse Reservoir in late Spring 2025, based on a photo taken by Mikey Westcott.
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