Chris Townsends new Cicerone guide hit the mat this morning. With a thud. Chris says that this book was six years in the making. I can believe it. Scotland in one book! Not a light undertaking I'm reasured by the fact that it took so long. I would always hope that the authors of such guides have walked the walk. You just know that Chris has. At first glance the book looks ordered, well written and beautifully layed out. Chris's easy but authoratative style, recongisable from his TGO columns and blogs, has thankfully survived the editors hand. The man and his love of the hills shines through. I especially like the fact that this isn't simply a walking guide, attention is also paid to ski touring and mountaineering. I'm already thinking this is going to be my go-to-book for the region and I'm going to enjoy getting to know it, and in turn perhaps Scotland, much better.
I was away backpacking when it should have hit the mat so my copy is waiting for me at the mail depot. I'll just have to be patient.
ReplyDeleteIt's on my wishlist, so come payday I'll be picking it up. I could do with something to push me out of my Cairngorm comfort zone into those hills further afield.
ReplyDeleteJohn, the best of excuses! It's worth the wait.
ReplyDeleteFraser, there's plenty of inspiration to be found. Even if I don't get back to the highlands for a few seasons it's money well spent. I can forsee some pleasant evenings with a beer, anquet mapping and Chris's tome. That'll be another half dozen tours to add to my growing list.
Still waiting for mine to arrive, over a week after despatch from Scotland to Dk. Given the direct flights to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, I think that a trip or two after winter could be to Scotland.
ReplyDeleteScotland is for me quite doable for a long weekend. I've done the Cairngorms from here, sleeping on the ferry and driving up from Newcastle. I've been too focussed on eveything else that's out there for a while but somthing closer to my roots begins to appeal again. Always on my list but never done is to take the train to Corrour station, hang around in the wilds for a day or two then come out via a full traverse of the Grey Corries and into Fort bill by way of Carn Mor Dearg and the Ben. One day.
ReplyDeleteIt is a great book Dave. I would say a must buy. Your Corrour route sounds very nice by the way.
ReplyDeleteI've travelled that route so many times with digital mapping I could do it with my eyes shut :-)
ReplyDeleteRealy should try it for real one of these days.