Running out of things to read? There are some cracking outdoor books that have caught our eye coming out over the next few months.
1. Along the Divide: Walking the Wild Spine of Scotland by Chris Townsend (Sandstone Press)
Publication date: 20/09/2018
The publishers say:
“Chris Townsend embarks on a 700-mile walk along the spine of Scotland, the line of high ground where fallen rain runs either west to the Atlantic or east to the North Sea. Walking before the Independence Referendum of 2014, and writing after the EU Referendum of 2016, he reflects on: nature and history, conservation and rewilding, land use and literature, and change in a time of limitless potential for both better and worse.”
We say:
One to look forward to from one of the UK’s top writers on the subject of long-distance walking.
Link: https://sandstonepress.com/books/along-the-divide
2. Northwest by Alex Nail
Publication date: 01/11/2018
The author says:
“NORTHWEST is a photographic book of the Highlands of Scotland, showcasing wild mountain vistas and dramatic light displays captured by International Mountain Photographer of the Year Alex Nail.
“Shot over many years in all seasons and weather conditions, the book is packed full of spectacular mountain images, most of which have never been published.
”Woven into the photographic story are tales of adventure and solitude in the mountains, documenting the thousands of hours Alex spent backpacking in one of the most isolated parts of the UK.”
We say:
If you love quality images of the Scottish Highlands, this looks set to be something special. Alex Nail’s photography has graced many an issue of TGO.
Link: https://www.alexnail.com/book/
3. Waymaking: An anthology of women’s adventure writing, poetry and art edited by Helen Mort, Claire Carter, Heather Dawe and Camilla Barnard (Vertebrate Publishing)
Publication date: 04/10/2018
The publishers say:
“Waymaking is an anthology of prose, poetry and artwork by women who are inspired by wild places, adventure and landscape.
“Published in 1961, Gwen Moffat’s Space Below My Feet tells the story of a woman who shirked the conventions of society and chose to live a life in the mountains. Some years later in 1977, Nan Shepherd published The Living Mountain, her prose bringing each contour of the Cairngorm mountains to life. These pioneering women set a precedent for a way of writing about wilderness that isn’t about conquering landscapes, reaching higher, harder or faster, but instead about living and breathing alongside them, becoming part of a larger adventure.
“The artists in this inspired collection continue Gwen and Nan’s legacies, redressing the balance of gender in outdoor adventure literature. Their creativity urges us to stop and engage our senses: the smell of rain-soaked heather, wind resonating through a col, the touch of cool rock against skin, and most importantly a taste of restoring mind, body and spirit to a former equanimity.
“With contributions from adventurers including Alpinist magazine editor Katie Ives, multi-award-winning author Bernadette McDonald, adventurers Sarah Outen and Anna McNuff, renowned filmmaker Jen Randall and many more, Waymaking is an inspiring and pivotal work published in an era when wilderness conservation and gender equality are at the fore.”
We say:
This looks like a truly special anthology.
Link: https://www.v-publishing.co.uk/books/categories/wildlife-photography-and-outdoors/waymaking.html
4. Wild Light: Scotland’s Mountain Landscape by Craig Aitchison (Vertebrate Publishing)
Publication date: 04/10/2018
The publishers say:
“Wild Light is a stunning panoramic exploration of the Scottish landscape by photographer Craig Aitchison, winner of the inaugural Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year competition.
”Produced over seven years and shot entirely using a traditional Hasselblad film camera, this remarkable body of work captures the essence of the Scottish wilderness through the seasons and portrays the Highlands and Islands at their most beautiful.
“Featuring over eighty panoramas, this book celebrates the rich natural heritage, incredible geodiversity and varied landscape for which Scotland is internationally renowned. Among a glittering cast of many are the dramatic heights of Suilven, An Teallach and Aonach Eagach, and the otherworldly landscapes of the Lairig Ghru in the Cairngorms and Glen Etive.
“Craig Aitchison’s Wild Light will delight anyone who treasures the Scottish mountain landscape.”
We say:
Another splendid-looking photo book on the Scottish Highlands – and this one will likely be even more attractive for those with an interest in traditional film photography.
Link: https://www.v-publishing.co.uk/books/categories/wildlife-photography-and-outdoors/wild-light.html
5. East of West, West of East by Hamish Brown (Sandstone Press)
Publication date: 19/07/2018
The publishers say:
“This extraordinary book tells the story of a remarkable family caught in Japan at the outbreak of the Second World War in the Pacific. With letters, journal extracts and notes from Hamish Brown’s parents, as well as his own recollections, it brings the era to life: not only life in the dying days of the British Empire, but also the terrible reality of the invasion of Singapore into which they escaped.”
We say:
Hamish Brown’s books Hamish’s Mountain Walk and Walking the Song are well-deserved classics. This looks like a fascinating tale of his life away from the hills.
Link: https://sandstonepress.com/books/east-of-west-west-of-east
6. The Wilderness Cookbook by Phoebe Smith
Publication date: 18/11/2018
The publishers say:
“Following on from the huge success of her previous titles, Wilderness Weekends (2015) and Britain’s Best Small Hills (2016), outdoor guru Phoebe Smith returns with her top tips about wilderness cooking on a single stove, including fifty recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert and snacks. She also adds that secret extra ingredient to each recipe – an incredible sense of place – from moorland to coast, woodland, mountains or riverside. This innovative title is packed with advice on how to get the most out of walking in wild places, wild camping and wild cooking.”
We say:
Our stomachs are grumbling already!
Link: https://www.bradtguides.com/the-wilderness-cookbook-pb.html
