Brora author revamps solo walking adventure book with new images added
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It was, says author and historian Dr Nick Lindsay, perhaps the “most memorable experience of my entire life”.
The Brora resident is referring to a solo walking adventure he made in 2008 from Cape Wrath, the most north westerly point in Britain, to his home village.
His account of the trip, entitled Cape Wrath to Brora - A Walking Adventure Across Sutherland, was published in 2010 and has just been updated.
The 160-page, revamped publication is lavishly illustrated, containing 126 colour images compared to just 16 in the original version.
It took Dr Lindsay, who is chairman of Clyne Heritage Society, seven days in glorious May sunshine to cover the 75-miles between the two points on a non waymarked route.
As the crow flies, the distance is 61 miles.
He camped in the wild as he went, crossing only three public roads and, until the last kilometre in Brora itself, trekking through the heart of the most remote and arguably most beautiful part of the whole country.
He said: “I did not meet a single soul on the entire trip until I was around a kilometre from my journey’s end.”
However, he counters the popular conception that the Highlands of Scotland in general, and Sutherland in particular are empty and barren.
His book details the many beautiful things that caught his eye from flora and fauna to geology, topography, meteorology and archaeology.
He was struck by “magnificent, immense sweeping landscapes to tiny, almost insignificant macro insects”.
Dr Lindsay says: “The journey served to emphasise how rich and full of life and wonder the so-called ‘wilderness’ actually is.”
He continued: “Much of Sutherland is empty but in just once respect - that of people. However, had I been undertaking the same walk around 200 years ago prior to the Highland Clearances, I would not have been able to avoid the crowds!
“The people were once there but now they have gone.”
In his book, experienced walker Dr Lindsay, shows how anyone with a little experience, common sense and a lust for adventure can achieve similar journeys, as long as sensible precautions are taken and, most importantly, the weather is kind
Cape Wrath to Brora - A Walking Adventure Across Sutherland is available to purchase at the Otter’s Couch, Brora; and also at Lindsay’s in Golspie or direct from the author through Facebook.
RELATED: Historian's new book is full of stories from a 'fascinating' Sutherland parish
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