Chic hiking boots and ‘coorie’ – the Scottish lifestyle trend everyone’s talking about
Left: Moncler ankle boots. Right: Valentino Rockstud hiking boots, both Net-a-Porter.
This month I’m embracing the Scottish lifestyle trend ‘coorie’ (meaning to cuddle or to hug) – the Highlands version of hygge. Bracing country walks in chunky knitwear and sturdy hiking boots, hearty meals beside roaring fires – I might even start drinking whisky again. Give me Burns Night over Dry January, every time.
Coorie may not be a widely known phenomenon (none of my Scots friends has heard of it), but it is surely a reflection of the growing desire to switch off and step away from the computer screen. ‘I do think there is something in it,’ says photographer Susan Bell, who grew up near the Solway Firth and is currently researching a book on the landscape and cuisine of Scotland. ‘The whole vibe is changing: walking, wild swimming, being aware of the landscape around you. There is a definite connection to the land. People have realised that you don’t need to go to Iceland or the Faroe Islands when you can rent a house on a stunning beach in Scotland.’
As a fan of rambling and the great outdoors, one thing this fashion-conscious city-dweller intends to do more of this year is get out into the wild – but kitted out properly in a parka, cosy sweater and hiking boots. An early adopter of the hiking-boot trend – I purchased a pair 10 years ago for a trip to the Arctic Circle and kept wearing them on my return – I wasn’t interested in the modern, half-training shoe/half-walking boot hybrid. I was looking for an old-school style – think Grace Kelly après ski in St Moritz. The best retro-inspired, leather hiking boots available at the time came from Brasher (the women’s Country Master Walking Boot is £155). The company was founded by Arctic explorer Christopher William Brasher, also a runner (he was the pacemaker for Roger Bannister’s four-minute mile) and co-founder of the London Marathon and British Federation Orienteering. I’m currently wearing them with cashmere socks, cropped trousers and a slouchy jumper around town, but I’m hoping they’ll be stepping out of London soon.
The trend for fashionable women’s hiking boots continues to soar in popularity – this is an edited version of a feature I’ve written for the FT’s How To Spend It HERE.
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Discussion (23 Comments)
I love the look of the traditional hiking boot, but man are they heavy, and hot! And they take like 20 years to break in. Or at least mine did. I wore them for months before we hiked in Gros Morne Park in Newfoundland many years ago. So I thought they’d be good. But four hours into a full-day hike, I was taping blisters and stuffing moss down inside to help my poor feet survive the rest of the day. On the other hand I think I wore my new Salomon super light boots twice before we went to Patagonia in 2017, and they felt great. No more agony of da feet for me.
Sorry. Couldn’t resist that VERY bad joke:)Siobhan Redmond says:
Perhaps it’s a kiddy-on* phenomenon? I’m Scottish and ”Coorie” is unknown to me as a lifestyle but the word means cuddle or snuggle and you can certainly coorie in to a favourite piece of clothing, article of furniture or to someone else. And who wouldn’t want to?
* Kiddy-on meaning pretendDorothy says:
As a fellow Scot, I am familiar with the phrase ‘coorie in’. Sounds a bit of a kid on though. For reference, I’m from the South west so there might be regional variations.
Wenche says:
Hygge is to make it cosy around yourself.To hug is to kose or klemme,these are the Norwegian words.Hygge is such a misunderstood word,used in wrong situations:)))and what it’s actually about;)Sorry couldn’t help myself;)
maudie says:
I have a Scottish friend who always extols the virtues of ‘coorie doon’ and now that the weather has turned so cold I am trying to coorie/hygge and fika my nest for The Big Chill! Those Arket boots are to die for. I bought some Josef Seibel (shhh – very not trendy, I know) burgundy walking type boots last month in the sale -bliss – loads of toe-space for thick socks, loads of ankle support and a cosy lining. ps WHERE are the best places to buy cropped trousers – I have been lopping the bottoms off of my winter trousers.
Toomanyshoes says:
Did some keen type in marketing, fresh from a trip to Skye, come up with this one? Living in Glasgow I can assure you that, like your friends, no one up here is talking about this “trend”. I haven’t even heard the word coorie used in years, and even then it was specific in being about a person to person cuddle. For example, my Mum – “a teuchter” ( in the nicest way) , would invite us all onto her lap to “coorie in”. Oh well – what does a bit of cultural appropriation matter when we’re talking about selling stuff. The hiking boots thing is an odd one – I do love a heavy cleated sole ankle boot – something a bit masculine, and very much an essential up here in currently icy north, but I cant bring myself to buy a pair of hiking boots unless they are actually fit for hiking up the wonderful hills we have aplenty. I find something vaguely ridiculous about it being 12 degrees C and seeing people wearing Canada Goose jackets and Sorel snow boots. I did fall for it a few years back and bought a pair of Sorel Joan of Arctic boots – but even up here the weather was not bad enough to actually wear them ( really uncomfortable too) so they were promptly consigned to Ebay. Susan Bell’s comment about not having to go to Iceland or the Faroe Isles is so true – although many parts of the Highlands now have Iceland style problems with hordes of tourists. Skye and the North Coast 500 are both having real challenges due to recent popularity. My advice would be to absolutely go and visit this stunning part of the world, but avoid high summer, and avoid the famous viewpoints, that way you can still get that pure white beach to yourself!
That’s exactly what my friends said, Toomanyshoes! Everyone’s looking for the new hygge…And I would love to see more of Scotland without the crowds (have enough of that in London). We used to go on holiday to the Solway Firth when I was a kid and I know Edinburgh and Glasgow quite well but that’s about it. I need a Scottish adventure.
Susan Holmes says:
Come to Scotland and have a coorie in. A cuddle with a loved one preferably with a dram in your hand.
Susan xSally Buffington says:
Very interesting, but I think your American readers may not know “hygge” — would you define? It’s new to me. Thank you!
Hello Sally, Hygge (pronounced hoo-ga) is the Scandinavian concept of feeling cozy and snug. Staying in rather than going out, enjoying simple pleasures ( a cup of coffee, glass of wine, cinnamon bun etc), and being kind to yourself. It’s been a huge trend over here in Europe for several years, with numerous books written on the topic – so coorie is obviously the new version of this.
As I live in Southern California, I think you see why it hasn’t gotten going here yet! Thanks for the explanation, Alison. Sally
Oh love these. I was going to buy some hiking boots this year, but then I got caught up with my beloved Fryes. And what a wonderful word: “coorie.” Using this word and going to amaze people here with my erudition!
Jean Thompson says:
I am Scots, live near Glasgow. To coorie in was an expression used by my mother and grandmother all their lives. It meant come get cozy at the fire, with a rug, a hot drink, a book and a cuddle. Stories were told too. We loved it and I still do it with my wee grandson. Hygge by another name. It’s bitterly cold here, snow on the ground and I am cooried in at this moment. Been reading your work for years, love your writing. Jean.
Mary says:
Anything to do with the popularity of the Shetland TV series? It has a following in Australia too.
Gretchen says:
I would much rather take my vacations in Scotland, or any northern gorgeous place, than the tropics, but then again, I’ve always been weird like that. I do worry that the Highlands, Shetlands, and other areas have become too popular, and now the NYT is promoting long hikes and overnights in Scotland’s Bothys, it will get worse. I’ve worn those hiking boots (and old cross country ski boots from the 70s and old downhill clonkers as well) and will pass on them. My Blundstones are better for walking around, and my ugly hiking boots work far better for the day hikes I take. Love how the old-school boots look, hate how they perform.
‘Coorie’ – will have to ask my Scottish husband about this – not a word I have ever in our 30 years of marriage heard him say. I wonder what is response will be if I say “oooooh lets have a coorie!”.
Mrs Tonia says:
Like Alyson my visits to Scotland have been confined to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Loch Lomond once. I’ve gone on Charles Rennie Mackintosh pilgrimages when there usually in spring and summer months. I feel fortunate to have visited the School of Art in Glasgow twice including a tour of all parts of the building. Sadly it has been devastated in two fires. With regards strong footwear these hiking style boots are perfect for the cold icy weather we are now experiencing. As Alyson shows in this and in the longer FT article this winter there are many luxurious versions out there. I’m sticking with my black leather Ecco version with fake fur lining Goretex waterproof finish and solid cleated sole. Following this style trend sustainably with a pair of boots I already own.
Pamela Bell says:
Agree with the comments about getting in on insta trends. I am Scottish, live on the nc500 route. No one talks about coorie like that but it is a genuine word for cuddling in and being snug. A shame we have to commodotise everything.
As for visiting the highlands, visitor numbers increasing is a mixed blessing and our roads and infrastructure are struggling to cope in the spring and summer. Especially with camper vans going at 45mph but also with convoys of super cars doing 90. I have to drive to Inverness every week with work and a journey that should take around 2 hrs 15 is taking 3 now. And please stay away from the bothies NYT Readers, unless you are a serious walker and are properly prepared
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Coorie eh?Suits my Scots-Canadian soul.We wear boots like that all Winter here.Warm, comfortable and safe on icy terrain.Loving the idea of connecting to nature at a human pace.Thank you.