Helen Nelson: Finding Perspective in the Scottish Hills

Growing up in Glencoe, Nelson was surrounded by mountains from an early age. Weekends were spent outdoors with her family, skiing, climbing and hillwalking. Her father has worked as a mountain guide for around 30 years and has also been part of the mountain rescue team for much of that time, so life in the hills was simply part of everyday family life. 

Her love of sport began early too. Nelson first picked up a rugby ball at just six years old, joining Lochaber Rugby Club in the Highlands. Coming from a rugby family, she had plenty of inspiration around her, with both her sister and brother playing the game. 

That early start has since taken her to the international stage, with Nelson now boasting 81 caps for Scotland. But rugby was never her only sporting passion. 

Skiing was a huge part of her childhood, with both her mum and dad working as ski instructors. Nelson began skiing from a young age and went on to compete competitively in alpine skiing. Between the ages of 12 and 17, she would regularly travel across Europe to compete, balancing the demands of competitive sport while growing up in the Highlands. 

“I love getting out in the hills because it’s just something that brings me a lot of peace,” Nelson says. “I love spending time outside and exploring new areas. It reminds me of growing up a lot as well.” 

That upbringing has given Nelson a deep appreciation for the Scottish landscape and the stories that sit within it. In recent years, she has become increasingly interested in the history of the hills, from their Gaelic names to the people who have lived and worked among them. 

“I think the Scottish hills are absolutely beautiful,” she adds. “I know a lot of really cool stories from Glencoe people who have spent their whole lives there and it’s a huge part of something that makes me feel really Scottish and something I’m really proud of.” 

For a player who spends much of her time dealing with the demands and pressures of international rugby, the hills offer something very different. They provide a space to step away from the game, reconnect with home and reset. 

“Getting out in the hills allows me to switch off and just have that time away and escape from the pressures of being a rugby player,” Nelson explains. 

But there is another side to being outdoors that Nelson values just as much. Having grown up with a respect for the mountains and their unpredictability, she knows that time in the hills requires preparation, planning and an understanding of the conditions – much like the preparation required before stepping onto a rugby pitch. 

“I love the fact that you have to plan and prep to be out in all conditions,” she says. “It kind of brings me back down to earth that not everything revolves around a game of rugby.” 

Perhaps that is what makes the hills such an important part of Nelson’s life. From skiing down alpine slopes as a teenager to playing rugby for Scotland, sport has always been a constant. But so too has the outdoors – a place where she can challenge herself, spend time with family and friends and simply enjoy being at home. 

From Glencoe to the international stage, the Scottish landscape has remained a constant in Nelson’s life. Whether she is preparing for her next Scotland appearance or heading into the hills, that connection to the outdoors provides a sense of perspective and a reminder of where it all began.