Ribbon of Wildness

About the Book: 

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.

Reviews: 

No other journey can give so sublime a sense of unity – a feeling of how the Nation`s various different landscapes link together to form a coherent whole. THE SCOTSMAN

Absorbing account of a strenuous and meandering walk from Peel Fell on the Border to Duncansby Head, Caithness – all without crossing a stream. SCOTLAND IN TRUST, NATIONAL TRUST FOR SCOTLAND

[Ribbon of Wildness] is something truly special and an immense celebration of the best of Scottish landscape. RORY SYME, John Muir Trust Journal

Ribbon of Wildness will inspire others to view more than a few of the wondrous landscapes of Scotland whilst basking in their wildness. SCOTTISH WILDLIFE MAGAZINE, Scottish Wildlife Trust

A remarkable and incredible journey which others will most surely want to tackle. THE HOUR, STV

John Muir would have been proud of this tremendous wild journey. Scotland’s watershed is a remarkable feature of our country, and unites wild places; both familiar and remote. This unique Ribbon of Wildness leads us on an insightful exploration of our precious wilder land and its people. J HUTCHISON, Chairman, The John Muir Trust

About the Author:

PETER WRIGHT walked the Watershed of Scotland in 2005. It took him 64 days to cover the whole 1,200km, 745 miles, and he was struck by how much of the route went through wild land. He has long been interested in Scotland’s natural environment and history, having volunteered with both the John Muir Trust, and the National Trust for Scotland. He has worked for some 20 years developing the Duke of Edinburgh Award in the Edinburgh area, for which he received the MBE. The National Trust for Scotland presented him with the George Waterston Memorial Award for outstanding voluntary commitment. Peter was instrumental in establishing The Green Team, and is now its honorary Patron.