Category Archives: Travel Guides
The Sunlit Summit: The Life of W. H. Hurray
William Hutchison Murray (1913 – 1996) was one of Scotland`s most distinguished climbers in the years before and after the Second World War. As a prisoner of war in Italy he wrote his first classic book, Mountaineering in Scotland, on rough toilet paper which was confiscated and destroyed by the Gestapo. The rewritten version was
The Blind Man of Hoy
`From the moment I watched a documentary of Chris Bonington and Tom Patey climb the perpendicular flanks of the Old Man of Hoy I knew that my life would not be complete until I had followed in their footholds. That was in 1983 when I was thirteen. Within months I was tackling my first crags
The Rainforests of Britain and Ireland
Following his tremendous success in 2013 with The Ancient Pinewoods of Scotland, Clifton Bain now turns his attention to the mixed oak, birch and other woodlands that line the west coasts of, north to south, Scotland, Northern England, Wales and Ireland. Correctly described as a rainforest, these trees take a higher rainfall than some areas
Out There: A Voice from the Wild
Drawing from more than forty years of experience as an outdoorsman, and probably the world`s best known long distance walker who also writes, Chris Townsend describes the landscapes and wildlife, the walkers and climbers, and the authors who have influenced him in this lucid and beautiful book. Writing from his home in the heart of
The Natural History of Selborne
Written by Gilbert White and first published in 1789, this book is compiled from a mixture of White`s letters to other naturalists – Thomas Pennant and Daines Barrington; a `Naturalist`s Calendar` detailing phenology observations of the first appearances in the year of different animals and plants; and observations of natural history. Illustrated throughout with stunning
The Voyage of the Dolphin
`Gentlemen-` Fitzmaurice`s eyes gleamed and he revealed many teeth `– lace up your stoutest boots and pack your warmest underwear — we`re all off to the bloody Arctic!` It is Dublin in the spring of 1916: while war rages across Europe and rebellion threatens the Irish capital, three young College friends embark on a foolhardy
Around the Coast in Eighty Waves
Living in an old, unheated T25 campervan for fourteen months, including the coldest winter for thirty years, Jonathan Bennett travelled clockwise round Britain, surfing every beach he could catch a wave. From the Isle of Harris to the Lizard Peninsula, from Orkney to Anglesey, from Sandwood Bay to Sussex, he shared the waves with seals,
They Were Counted
Shooting parties in great country houses, turbulent scenes in parliament and the luxury life in Budapest provide the backdrop for this gripping, prescient novel, forming a chilling indictment of upper-class frivolity and political folly, in which good manners cloak indifference and brutality. Abady becomes aware of the plight of a group of Romanian mountain peasants
The Ancient Pinewoods of Scotland: A Companion Guide
Scattered across the Scottish Highlands are the last surviving remnants of the Caledonian forest which have survived, naturally seeding and growing since the last ice age. Visiting these ancient woods provides an emotional connection to the past with visible traces of the people who lived and worked there over the centuries. There is also a
Interstate: Hitchhiking Through the State of a Nation
Winner of the Stanford Dolman Travel Book of the Year 2016.Stanfords London Book of the Month March 2017Recruited to work on a big documentary project, Julian goes to New York convinced he has hit big time at last. Finding the project cancelled he wanders the city streets and hitchhiking to San Francisco slowly starts to
His Bloody Project
A brutal triple murder. Dark and deadly deeds in a remote northwestern crofting community in 1869 lead to the arrest of a young man by the name of Roderick Macrae. There`s no question that Macrae landed the savage blows, but it falls to the country`s finest legal and psychiatric minds to uncover what drove him
Chasing Churchill
Illustrated with photographs from the private family album, this book follows in the footsteps of some of Sir Winston Churchill`s famous trips to the four corners of the world, by his granddaughter Celia Sandys. She visits South Africa, Morocco, France, the USA amongst others – and recounts how Sir Winston`s trips not only changed the
The Gathering Tide: A Journey Around the Edgelands of Morecambe Bay
“Evocative, muscular.” – Kathleen Jamie. Karen Lloyd takes us on a deeply personal journey around the 60 miles of coastline that make up `nature`s amphitheatre`. Embarking on a series of walks that take in beguiling landscapes and ever-changing seascapes, Karen tells the stories of the places, people, wildlife and history of Morecambe Bay. So we
English Country Houses
This book offers a brief history of the English country house from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, and of the people who built and lived in them – from common squires to kings and queens. This wonderful book was undoubtedly written by someone who had a great sense of pride in England and
Holkham: The Social, Architectural and Landscape History of a Great English Country House
Holkham Hall is a masterpiece of eighteenth-century Palladian architecture set in a large walled park bordered by the marshes and dunes of the North Norfolk coast. Built, owned and occupied by the Coke family since 1612, it is at the centre of a major agricultural estate; a treasure house whose paintings, classical sculpture, books, manuscripts
The Clockwork Crow
A magical story of snow and stars by Catherine Fisher. The Clockwork Crow is a mysterious gothic Christmas tale set in a frost-bound Victorian country mansion. When orphaned Seren Rees is given a mysterious package by a strange and frightened man on her way to her new home, she reluctantly takes it with her. But
Three Strikes
A chilling collection of three novellas from YA authors Lucy Christopher, Kat Ellis and Rhian Ivory. Three Strikes is a collection of three novellas from three star YA authors: `The Darkness` by Lucy Christopher: Everyone has disappeared. Ebony writes by candlelight. Is she the only one left? Then she spots a red light blinking at
The Centre Cannot Hold
Peter Geoghegan takes an in-depth journey through some of the unexpected people and far-flung places along Scotland`s road to referendum. September 19, 2014. The ballots are in, and the votes are counted. Scotland has either chosen to remain part of the Untied Kingdom, or to form a new independent state. The result is black and
Ultimate Guide To The Munros Vol 1
“The Ultimate Guide to The Munros” is a guidebook with a difference. Rather than telling the reader which are the `best` routes, it describes all practicable ascent routes up all the Munros, and rates them in terms of difficulty and quality (using comprehensive grading systems). This enables the reader to make his/her own choices from
Tales of Loch Ness
This book helps you explore the myths and legends surrounding one of Scotland`s most famous locations. The home of the fabled Loch Ness monster, or Nessie as she is affectionately known, is a favourite tourist spot. Every year thousands flock to her shores hoping for a glimpse of the mysterious creature. But hers is not
