IT is seen by many as an unusual and unorthodox way of life, but Scots teenager Kimberley Craigie says becoming a naturist has given her "soaring self-confidence".

The-18 year-old has become youth officer for the Scotland and Northern England region (Saner) of British Naturism, the national society which promotes and organises nudist activities throughout the UK.

British Naturism has more than 10,000 members in the UK, although a survey conducted last year found there were 3.7 million people in Britain who described themselves as naturists.

British Naturism say that at the moment between 5% and 10% of their members are under the age of 30. As a result, they are trying to recruit more young naturists.

Last week, it was revealed the Scottish Outdoor Club, a naturist resort based on Inchmurrin island on Loch Lomond, was in decline as its membership had more than halved in recent years.

Ms Craigie, of Maryhill, Glasgow, started going to naturist camps about six years ago after her father, who is also a naturist, introduced her to the lifestyle.

She said: "I actually started when I was 12 or 13 years old. I went to my first swim and at that age obviously I was still growing up and my body was still changing. The first time I went I was expecting to be made fun of, but it was mostly nice and they tried to make me feel better about myself and would chat to me.

"It was actually my dad that started going. I eventually plucked up the courage to do it and I'm really glad I did."

Ms Craigie, who starts her first year at the city's Anniesland College studying British sign language this autumn, said going nude at naturist camps has given her more self-confidence.

She added: "Ever since I started going my confidence has gone sky-high. Now I worry about what clothes I'm wearing and what people will think about them – I'm more worried about my clothes than I am about being naked. It's really sent my confidence sky high and people there are really nice."

Ms Craigie accepts, though, that her's is a lifestyle choice not everyone will agree with or want to take part in. "Part of my duties as the Saner youth officer is to try to get more young people involved. But I'm not here to be bothered by anyone if they say I shouldn't be doing this. I see that as their opinion, but that I'd rather they kept it to themselves."

Her own friends, who don't attend naturist activities with her, have been supportive. She added: "My friends that I have told have said it's amazing and I must have a lot of courage for doing it and they are quite supportive. They say 'good on you', but they say they wouldn't have the courage to do it."

A spokesman for British Naturism said: "Social conditioning does mean young people are a bit more self-conscious and not as keen in naturism as they might be. We are trying to attract young people, but then we're trying to recruit people of all ages because we're trying to show people the wonderful way of life we've found – it's fun, de-stressing and healthy."