Customer Reviews

A Long Walk on the Isle of Skye: A New 75-Mile Island Trek

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All my travel adventures start with a good book. This is definitely The Book for the Isle of Skye. I don't think you have to physically follow David Paterson's 8-day-long path from Armadale (south) to Duntulm (north) to come away with a delicious sense of having been there. The photographs are stunning. But unlike cheesy tourist photography books, A Long Walk is beautifully written, engaging, and memorable. I haven't reread the book yet, but still often think of one of his gloomiest (and windiest) hikes uphill, when in the midst of a good sulk he is surprised by a lark that was guarding a perfect, cozy nest of eggs. I loved this book because Paterson obviously relishes serendipitous moments like that one, as well as the details and history of a fascinating place, good maps, and of course, excellent photography.

Even if Amazon.com doesn't have it in stock, it's worth the wait... or just get yourself to Scotland and buy one there.

A lot of photography books are poorly written, but not so this one. Paterson's prose is up to par with his images, which are absolutely gorgeous. Seeing Skye in all four seasons through Paterson's photographs helped me get a much better sense of this wonderful island (I've only visited once). I'm desperate to return--and I'll definitely take this book with me when I do. The routes seem well-planned and thoroughly researched.

This book helped me decide which parts of Skye to really explore (Sleat and Trotternish). It gave a better history of the island than many guide books.