Ribbon of Wilderness by Peter Wright sampler
If you’ve bagged the Munros, done the Caledonian Challenge and walked the West Highland Way, this is your next conquest. The Watershed of Scotland is a line that separates east from west; that divides those river basin areas which drain towards the North Sea from those which flow west into the Atlantic Ocean on the other. It’s a line that meanders from Peel Fell on the English border all the way to the top at Duncansby Head, near John O’ Groats – over 745 miles, through almost every kind of terrain. The Watershed follows the high ground, and offers wide vistas down major river valleys, towards towns and communities, into the heartlands of Scotland. Walk the Watershed in eight weeks Tackle short sections over a weekend 7 route maps Over 30 colour photographs Ribbon of Wildness provides a vivid introduction to this geographic and landscape feature, which has hitherto been largely unknown. The rock, bog, forest, moor and mountain are all testament to the Watershed’s richly varied natural state. The evolving kaleidoscope of changing vistas, wide panoramas, ever-present wildlife, and the vagaries of the weather, are delightfully described on this great journey of discovery.
If you’ve bagged the Munros, done the Caledonian Challenge and walked the West Highland Way, this is your next conquest.
The Watershed of Scotland is a line that separates east from west; that divides those river basin areas which drain towards the North Sea from those which flow west into the Atlantic Ocean on the other. It’s a line that meanders from Peel Fell on the English border all the way to the top at Duncansby Head, near John O’ Groats – over 745 miles, through almost every kind of terrain. The Watershed follows the high ground, and offers wide vistas down major river valleys, towards towns and communities, into the heartlands of Scotland.
Walk the Watershed in eight weeks
Tackle short sections over a weekend
7 route maps
Over 30 colour photographs
Ribbon of Wildness provides a vivid introduction to this geographic and landscape feature, which has hitherto been largely unknown. The rock, bog, forest, moor and mountain are all testament to the Watershed’s richly varied natural state. The evolving kaleidoscope of changing vistas, wide panoramas, ever-present wildlife, and the vagaries of the weather, are delightfully described on this great journey of discovery.
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<strong>Ribbon</strong>s <strong>of</strong> Wildness_2016_Layout 1 24/05/2016 19:26 Page 7<br />
Preface<br />
<strong>Ribbon</strong> <strong>of</strong> Wildness has been well received across a broad spectrum<br />
<strong>of</strong> interests throughout Scotland and well beyond. Ever continuing<br />
sales, widespread invitations for the author to give talks and take<br />
part in events, positive reviews and comments, provide growing<br />
evidence that it has already inspired some pretty ambitious plans –<br />
and so much more; all testament to its’ popular appeal. This is all<br />
the more pleasing, given that it had not really been in my mind to<br />
write a book about it when I undertook that epic watershed walk<br />
in 2005. But the notion <strong>of</strong> a ribbon <strong>of</strong> wildness somehow emerged<br />
as I contemplated all <strong>of</strong> the landscapes I was experiencing, and as<br />
I followed a line created simply <strong>by</strong> the hand <strong>of</strong> Nature, it became<br />
evident that there really was something to write about. If the<br />
Watershed was, as I suggest, ‘the sleeping giant <strong>of</strong> the Scottish<br />
landscape’, it has most assuredly begun to be roused – or opened<br />
one eye, at least – the awakening will most assuredly continue. In<br />
time it will roar that the Watershed is one <strong>of</strong> Scotland’s greatest<br />
environmental assets.<br />
What pleases me most is <strong>of</strong> course the evidence that the<br />
Watershed is beginning to be appreciated and understood, valued,<br />
and is providing inspiration, simply for what it is – largely<br />
continuous wildness. That prevailing characteristic and quality on<br />
such an immense scale is special; unique even. <strong>Ribbon</strong> <strong>of</strong> Wildness<br />
– Discovering the Watershed <strong>of</strong> Scotland has added a truly new<br />
dimension to our understanding and potential enjoyment <strong>of</strong><br />
Scotland’s countryside – <strong>by</strong> way <strong>of</strong> this distinctive ribbon <strong>of</strong> hill,<br />
mountain, moor, bog and forest. I have no doubt that this, the sixth<br />
print-run, which contains a few necessary updates, corrections, and<br />
perhaps the occasional improvement to the text, will be widely<br />
sought and give added energy to the plans that are taking shape in<br />
many quarters.<br />
7
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