In the March issue of TGO (The Great Outdoors) magazine, you will find an excellent article by Chris Townsend, in which he tells that whilst browsing in a bookshop he came across a new book that `looked intriguing`, and goes on to say that he found it `quite thrilling`.
He picks up on the originality in my defining the Watershed for the very first time, and on the rationalle used to do so - a geographic rationalle.
His main interest in Ribbon of Wildness though, is in the potential that it holds for inspiring The Watershed of Scotland as an entirely new long distance route for walkers and backpackers - with no waymaring, he stresses. So whether someone wanted to tackle the whole 1,200km, or simple get a lot of pleasure from walking shorter sections of it, Chris is clear that it has much to offer.
Finally, he focusses in on the environmental and landscape content of Ribbon of Wildness, and finds the argument about its` distinctive wildness entirely convincing.
So this article by Chris Townsend has come at an excellent time, not only in raising awareness about the book, but in highlighting much that it has to offer `lovers of wild places`.
Tuesday 22 February 2011
Talks, Sales and Events
Since its` publication last September, Ribbon of Wildness has met with a great respone - some excellent reviews and comments (see www.ribbonofwildness.co.uk); it has indeed been well received.
Sales are good, and it is to be found in many local bookshops, Waterstones, Blackwells, and on-line. Still to crack thogh are the books sections of key outdoor shops. Some 400 copies have been sold, to date.
I`ve given a number of talks and taken part in a variety of events. With some form of display as backdrop, I find that there is no shortage of people who are keen to find out more, and discuss it. 2011 look like being the `Year of Talks` though, with about 25 already confirmed or well on the way to being so. Book and walking festivals, learned societies, local interest organisations, schools and colleges, local bookshops - the variety of interest and demand is seemingly endless. All very encouraging, with plenty of scope for more, and in 2011 I won`t be chargeing any fee!
Two favourite quotes from the reviews are:
`No other journey through Scotland 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
And `Peter Wright has done lovers of wild places a great service in providing the first comprehensive description of the Watershed`. TGO
Sales are good, and it is to be found in many local bookshops, Waterstones, Blackwells, and on-line. Still to crack thogh are the books sections of key outdoor shops. Some 400 copies have been sold, to date.
I`ve given a number of talks and taken part in a variety of events. With some form of display as backdrop, I find that there is no shortage of people who are keen to find out more, and discuss it. 2011 look like being the `Year of Talks` though, with about 25 already confirmed or well on the way to being so. Book and walking festivals, learned societies, local interest organisations, schools and colleges, local bookshops - the variety of interest and demand is seemingly endless. All very encouraging, with plenty of scope for more, and in 2011 I won`t be chargeing any fee!
Two favourite quotes from the reviews are:
`No other journey through Scotland 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
And `Peter Wright has done lovers of wild places a great service in providing the first comprehensive description of the Watershed`. TGO
Monday 20 September 2010
First Review and more
You might like to visit The Scotsman newspaper online - there you`ll find the first review of Ribbon of Wildness, in last Saturday`s issue. See what you think - I`m well pleased with it.
Then there will be STV this coming Wednesday from 5.00 - 6.00.
And Glasgow members group of Scottish Wildlife Trust on the same evening.
Waterstone`s now has it on the shelves, and of course Amazon is doing a roaring trade.
Murrayfield Rotary has me to look forward to.
The Scottish conference of The Duke of Edinburgh`s Award will be seeing a bit of me as book sales person.
So you see, I`m ready and willing!
Then there will be STV this coming Wednesday from 5.00 - 6.00.
And Glasgow members group of Scottish Wildlife Trust on the same evening.
Waterstone`s now has it on the shelves, and of course Amazon is doing a roaring trade.
Murrayfield Rotary has me to look forward to.
The Scottish conference of The Duke of Edinburgh`s Award will be seeing a bit of me as book sales person.
So you see, I`m ready and willing!
Thursday 9 September 2010
The Grand Linear Launch - 5th September
With the book appearing from the printer on Friday 3rd, the scene was set for the big launch on Sunday 5th September.
Over 70 people gathered at lunchtime in the very grand setting of the City of Edinburgh Council`s main Council Chamber. Erin had produced a very professional Powerpoint to illustrate what was happening, and who was involved. Dave was chairing the event. Twelve small groups of people - friends, family and supporters, were at the ready, on the tops of hills spread the entire length of Scotland from the English Border to Duncansby Head.
Robin Harper MSP, who has written the foreward to the book, welcomed everyone, and gave a short appealing introduction.
Over the next hour or so the phonelink to those who were on the hill tops was activated, the Powerpoint took the audience on a visual journey along the Watershed, I gave a series of short readings from the book,and this was interspersed with question and comment.
Ribbon of Wildness - Discovering the Watershed of Scotland, was duly launched amid rousing applause, to what is hoped will be an inquisitive and receptive public.
Some 80 copies were sold and signed there in the City Chambers.
Over 70 people gathered at lunchtime in the very grand setting of the City of Edinburgh Council`s main Council Chamber. Erin had produced a very professional Powerpoint to illustrate what was happening, and who was involved. Dave was chairing the event. Twelve small groups of people - friends, family and supporters, were at the ready, on the tops of hills spread the entire length of Scotland from the English Border to Duncansby Head.
Robin Harper MSP, who has written the foreward to the book, welcomed everyone, and gave a short appealing introduction.
Over the next hour or so the phonelink to those who were on the hill tops was activated, the Powerpoint took the audience on a visual journey along the Watershed, I gave a series of short readings from the book,and this was interspersed with question and comment.
Ribbon of Wildness - Discovering the Watershed of Scotland, was duly launched amid rousing applause, to what is hoped will be an inquisitive and receptive public.
Some 80 copies were sold and signed there in the City Chambers.
Edinburgh Internatioanl Book Festival
It was a sellout!
On 25th August, the Peppers Theatre in the Book Festival in Charlotte Square was packed with people ready to hear more about both my Ribbon of Wildness, and Emma Wood`s Plague Peatbogs and Potatoes. Both of us presented an outline of our books, then the proceedings were thrown open to questions. There were no awkward silences!
All in all, and excellent public introduction to Ribbon of Wildness - it augeres well for the future.
On 25th August, the Peppers Theatre in the Book Festival in Charlotte Square was packed with people ready to hear more about both my Ribbon of Wildness, and Emma Wood`s Plague Peatbogs and Potatoes. Both of us presented an outline of our books, then the proceedings were thrown open to questions. There were no awkward silences!
All in all, and excellent public introduction to Ribbon of Wildness - it augeres well for the future.
Sunday 29 August 2010
Book Festival Sellout
Yes, the Edinburgh International Book Festival event on 25th August involving Ribbon of Wildness was a sellout - a few folk were unable to get in. The feedback received has been very positive, with many `congratulations`, some talk of `enthusiasm coming across, loud and clear`, the observation of having `whetted the appetite, your book will get into many homes`, and even `a remarkable journey, by a remarkable man`. So all in all Ribbon of Wildness got a good first airing (even if it wasn`t actually in print at the time).
Simultaneously, www.ribbonofwildness.co.uk went live. This graphically illustrated website presents more information about the book, the watershed, the epic walk, and the proposed Ribbon of Wildness Trust. A visit would be well worthwhile.
And Sunday 5Th September will see upwards of 70 people in the very grand City Chambers in Edinburgh at lunchtime, taking part in a highly original event. For they Will be joined by phone link with 12 small groups of passionate supporters on strategic tops running the entire length of Scotland. Places are still available - email Pam.Waugh@theawardinedinburgh.org - immediately. And its free!
So Ribbon of Wildness - Discovering the Watershed of Scotland is receiving a big start in life, as the book which may transform the way we see, understand, and experience much of the landscape of Scotland.
Simultaneously, www.ribbonofwildness.co.uk went live. This graphically illustrated website presents more information about the book, the watershed, the epic walk, and the proposed Ribbon of Wildness Trust. A visit would be well worthwhile.
And Sunday 5Th September will see upwards of 70 people in the very grand City Chambers in Edinburgh at lunchtime, taking part in a highly original event. For they Will be joined by phone link with 12 small groups of passionate supporters on strategic tops running the entire length of Scotland. Places are still available - email Pam.Waugh@theawardinedinburgh.org - immediately. And its free!
So Ribbon of Wildness - Discovering the Watershed of Scotland is receiving a big start in life, as the book which may transform the way we see, understand, and experience much of the landscape of Scotland.
Wednesday 18 August 2010
Countdown
The final proofreading is taking place today - maps have been produced, design options for the cover done, and choices made. So it should all go off to the printers by close of business today. The new Ribbon of Wildness website is well on its way to going live too - later this week or early next.
There are still a few spaces left in the Linear Launch for Ribbon of Wildness on Sunday 5th Sept in the very grand City Chambers in Edinburgh. Drop me an email (see last blog) if you and your pals would like an invitation.
There are still a few spaces left in the Linear Launch for Ribbon of Wildness on Sunday 5th Sept in the very grand City Chambers in Edinburgh. Drop me an email (see last blog) if you and your pals would like an invitation.
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