Scotland's Mountains before the Mountaineers
by Ian Mitchell, Luath Press 1998, Revised edition 2004. ISBN 0-946487-39-1
An excellent little paperback explaining who were the first people to conquer Scotland's mountains and why they did it. Tales of bandits, poachers and illicit distillers, combined with accounts of early map makers, road builders, geologists and others. A vast amount of research has gone into this work, which I would gladly keep as a reference book.
I particularly liked the account of Colonel Colby of the Ordnance Survey (who only had one hand) who pushed his men hard in 1819 whilst surveying large tracts of Scotland. They walked 513 miles in 22 days, took a rest day, and then walked 586 miles in another 22 days, climbing a mountain every other day, all the while measuring and surveying as they went ! )
As an example of what to take with you in 1800 I also liked the story of John Leyden ( who graduated from Edinburgh University at the age of 15) - "Having armed myself this forenoon with a hammer and a bottle of cider, I sallied out alone to ascend the steep lofty mountain of Cruachan Ben ". (He also walked from Oban to do so, and returned on foot the same day !!
The book is crammed full of historic exploits, well worthy of reading, perhaps not all at once but definitely one for the coffee table.
2 comments:
Have you read "Walking through Scotland's History" by the same author ? Let me know and I can lend to you.
I could bring to Knoydart.
cheers ... Ron
The only other one of Ian Mitchell's which I've read is the co-authored "Mountain Days and Bothy Nights" so would appreciate a loan of the one you mention. Thanks, Norman
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