Helen speaks to Carol McLean, a 49 year old admin assistant from Aberdeen.
Q: What got you into naturism?
A: A combination of my boyfriend and the TV show Steph’s Packed Lunch! My boyfriend was interested in trying naturism and I wanted to support him in this. I saw a naturist spa hotel featured on Steph’s Packed Lunch, which intrigued me because I didn’t think such things would exist in the UK. So we booked a room there; perfect timing, during the heatwave; and that was it, our first naturist experience!
Q: Is there a difference between the two labels?
A: Naturism to me is more about being in tune with nature, and nudism is just being in the nude.
Q: How does it impact your life on a day-to-day basis?
A: Well, I live in Scotland where it’s too cold to run around naked outside for most of the year! I’ve found that I’m more in tune with my body because when you see yourself naked, you’re more aware of what your body looks like generally. You also feel more empowered with yourself. I've sometimes said to myself when facing a challenging situation "Come on, Carol, you’ve gone naked in front of strangers, you can do anything!"
Q: What challenges do women face in naturism generally?
A: There’s too many issues that women have with their bodies. Magazines/films/TV shows expect women to be a certain shape or size. They’ve got issues with body hair or the lack of, maybe scars after giving birth or having surgery, and it can be very daunting because we maybe feel we have to live up to these expectations.
Q: How can we encourage more women to try it?
A: More body positivity in everyday life would help. More TV programmes about the subject, to help us realise that we’re all different and in a naturist setting that doesn’t matter.
Q: How can women help in desexualising nudity?
A: I’m not sure if we can totally desexualise nudity but I find when there’s a lot of people together all naked it doesn’t feel sexual at all.
Q: What can men do to help in desexualising nudity?
A: Well, I asked my boyfriend and he said "I found when I was surrounded by ordinary naturists that it didn’t feel sexual at all. I almost forgot that we were naked. Whereas if I was in say, a strip club it would feel totally different. So I feel that by actually participating in naturism you are desexualising nudity for yourself. Perhaps that’s something we as men should do?"
Q: How can we encourage body positivity and acceptance?
A: We have to be more open about our lumps and bumps. We’re not perfect, and we need to live in a society where that’s accepted and encouraged. Maybe if we saw ordinary people naked more often, we’d think "they’re just like me".
Q: What advice would you offer to women curious about naturism?
A: Just do it. Nobody’s going to laugh, nobody’s going to judge and people are more friendly when everyone’s naked! The only way to experience that is to give it a go yourself.
Q: What drives your passion in promoting naturism?
A: I feel liberated and empowered when I’m naked, and that can only be a positive thing in your life. Being welcomed and having chats with strangers doesn’t happen so often in day to day life, but naturists seem to be more open to that kind of thing.
Q: Is your family supportive?
A: My parents are no longer with us, but I told one of my cousins and she said "Nothing fazes you." And of course my boyfriend is very supportive.
Q: Has naturism changed since you first got involved?
A: Well, I only started in 2022 so it’s a bit early to say!
Q: How do you see the future of naturism?
A: I think it’s here to stay and it will hopefully increase in popularity and people will become less prudish about the whole thing. Perhaps the best way for people to become less prudish is to try it themselves! Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it!
Q: Any other thoughts?
A: I think people are still shocked when you tell them you’ve experienced naturism. In this day and age you’d expect a better response, but they always ask questions about the whole experience so there’s interest out there.
