Fiona MacBain spends her weekdays behind a desk in local government, but when the office lights dim, she trades paperwork for pine trees and starlight. At 55, MacBain has embraced a new chapter: camping alone in the Scottish Highlands and sharing the experience online.
Known to her 185,000 TikTok followers as @FionaintheWild, she chronicles nights spent under the stars, cooking simple meals, and navigating the wild — all while confronting a lifelong fear of the dark. What began as a personal challenge has grown into a digital community and even a supplemental income.
Her story is one of rediscovery, courage, and finding joy in small, quiet moments away from modern life.
Returning to the Highlands
MacBain grew up in Glen Nevis, surrounded by sweeping mountains and remote trails. After studying at the University of Edinburgh, she lived in London and then Tunisia before returning to the UK to raise her three children: a 27-year-old daughter and two teenage sons.
Since 2004, Inverness has been her home, where she discovered a love for long-distance walking. Yet for years, she wondered what it might feel like to sleep outdoors — a thought that clashed with her surprising fear of darkness.
“When I was a child, I had a vivid imagination,” MacBain recalls. “I could walk in city streets at night without worry, but being alone in the dark Highland woods was another story entirely.”
Facing Fear at Loch Ness
In 2023, she decided it was time to confront that fear. Her first night camping at Loch Ness did not go perfectly: her sleeping mat was punctured, forcing her to walk back to her car in near-total darkness to retrieve a replacement.
Yet despite the nerves, she persevered. Sitting on a rock under a sky of stars, she realized the woods could feel peaceful rather than threatening. That night marked a turning point — she had taken control of a fear that had lingered for decades.
Finding Her Voice Online
Encouraged by these solo adventures, MacBain began recording her trips for TikTok. The first videos captured her honest emotions: boredom, apprehension, and the thrill of learning to navigate unfamiliar landscapes in darkness.
Her posts struck a chord. Within days, videos went viral, some exceeding 181,000 views. The attention was both validation and motivation, helping her embrace speaking to the camera and sharing her experiences openly.
TikTok as a Bridge
Beyond community and recognition, MacBain’s online presence has brought tangible rewards. TikTok earnings have supplemented her salary, allowing her to take her sons on trips, such as a vacation to Sicily, funded entirely by her content.
“At first, my kids were a bit uncertain about seeing their mum dancing outside a tent,” she laughs, “but now they’re supportive and even proud of it.”
Why Her Story Resonates
MacBain’s journey is a reminder that adventure is not limited by age or circumstance. Her story taps into broader trends: people sharing personal hobbies and outdoor experiences online, creating micro-communities, and finding joy and income in unexpected ways.
It also highlights the human side of fear and growth — the quiet courage it takes to step outside one’s comfort zone and embrace uncertainty.
Continuing the Adventure
Today, MacBain continues exploring the Highlands, blending her love of nature with storytelling. Each trip offers a chance to reconnect with the landscape of her youth and inspire others to step into their own small adventures, whether in city parks or remote hillsides.
Her journey is ongoing, a mix of starlit nights, learning curves, and the simple satisfaction of facing fears head-on.
