Along the Divide: Upcoming talks on my Scottish Watershed walk

On the Watershed in the Fannichs

This month I'm giving two illustrated talks on my Scottish Watershed walk and signing copies of my book Along the Divide.

The first talk is at Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries on Friday 22nd at 7pm.

The second talk is on the 30th at Hilltrek in Aboyne between 1pm and 4pm.

Everyone welcome!

OWPG Award for Along the Divide - the Certificate

The certificate for the Award for Along the Divide arrived today. I'm pleased all over again! Especially as the judges noted that "The Outdoor Book was particularly strongly contested this year".

OWPG Award for Along the Divide: Updated with judges comments

My book Along the Divide has just won the Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild Award for Excellence: Outdoor Book. I'm very pleased!
 

The judges commented: “Chris Townsend's relatively slim volume on walking the Watershed of Scotland edged ahead by combining some beautifully crafted prose with personal insights and amusing detail. In the end his dogged pursuit of a seemingly arbitrary line revealed some very well-explained concepts of what wildness means in a modern Scottish concept. A wonderful book from an author who immerses himself in the landscape without feeling the need to "list tick" or beat any personal or other record”

Good review of Along The Divide - and no, there isn't any product placement!

"An enjoyable and readable account of his travels."

"Discusses land use and conservation with passion".

"A neat and concise writer who entertains and informs".

These quotes are from a very nice review by Ian McPherson in the Spring 2019 issue of Backpack, the Journal of the Backpackers Club. Thank you!

At the end of the review Ian McPherson comments that he has one gripe, the frequency with which I name-check my shelter, and he wonders if there is a degree of commercial promotion. There isn't! I hadn't realised I'd named the shelter that often - and no-one else has commented on it - but doing so was because that's what I call it. Ironically, unlike most of the shelters I use, which are provided for test, I actually bought this one! (For those wondering it's the MLD Trailstar).

I'd like to state firmly that if I did any commercial promotion or product placement I would say so up front.

Along The Divide: Some Good Reviews

I'm delighted that my latest book Along The Divide is receiving good reviews. Here's a selection - with links so you can read the whole review if you wish.

'There is a natural and captivating flow in his storytelling, while his palpable passion for his experiences transports readers into sharing his gruelling journey.

A highly recommended read for those who enjoy a bit of adventure.'

Alma Crespo The Scottish Field 

' There's something really magical about Chris's writing that transports the reader to another time and place in a way that works so well.

The blending together of the account of the walk itself with memories and reflections results in a book we would wholeheartedly recommend to walkers everywhere, whether you do your walking in boots or in an armchair.'

Undiscovered Scotland

'Along the Divide treads that skilful line between serious, important landscape writing and a damned good tale that you can kick back and read for the pleasure of reading.'

Alex Roddie The Great Outdoors 

'This is the first of Townsend’s books that I have read and it is not going to be the last .... thoroughly enjoyable travel book'

Paul Cheney Nudge 

Out now: my latest book, the story of my Scottish Watershed walk, Along The Divide.

Whilst I was away walking the GR5 trail through the Alps my book on a previous long walk, the Scottish Watershed, was published. Now I'm back I need to get on with promoting it so here's a plug!