You’re right to highlight the question of remote areas that may in many people‘s eyes already get too much traffic, but the question is how far a walk guidebook promotes an area as such, and how far it just appeals to people who are already considering that area. Do people pick up your book and then decide on that basis to head for the NC 500, or do people who’ve already decided on the NC 500 pick up your book afterwards ? In that case you’re not so much boosting general vision numbers as promoting a more responsible and sustainable approach.?It’s definitely an open question.
I know that in my experience in areas like the Lake District it’s highly unlikely that a new walks guidebook is going to add significantly to overall visitor numbers, and the question becomes where do you direct people within that area? People are always going to want the honey pots, but I’ve always tried to encourage people to look beyond the obvious to areas which may be rewarding in different ways. I’ve also pretty consistently—from my very first guidebooks onward—made a point of promoting the use of public transport wherever possible.
Having said that I have also chosen not to mention one or two special places which feel too fragile and too sensitive to encourage significant numbers of new visitors. I’m thinking of one in particular and yours in the ******* Fells which I’ve never described in print, though it’s an exquisite spot. However if you want to contact me directly, Felicity, you can have the location.
I’ll have to look for your two newest the next time I’m in Scotland, which will be in November, Dia toilich, especially since I’m planning a return trip to Iona for next year and have long endeavored, as an occasional Iona pilgrim, to give Mull its due rather than just race from ferry to ferry. The big book sounds like a delight as well, as I have tended to return to my favorite spots (Iona, Orkney, the Tay) and know there is much more to enjoy.
As I no longer drive in the UK, I really appreciate your giving consideration to routes accessible by public transport. A couple of years ago, I enjoyed a well marked walk from Kippen, where I was staying a few days, to Gargunnock in a November rain, but there was that lovely gastro pub at the destination end, a fire to dry me out, and a bus to take me back up the hill to Kippen. Pretty much a perfect Scottish day.
Another time, I was staying at the Inn on the Tay in Grandtully — a great base and accessible by bus from Dunkeld — and had the bus drop me off at the Dewar’s distillery east of Aberfeldy. On my return walk, I saw red squirrels and all manner of waterfowl and detoured to the exquisite St Mary’s church, with its painted ceilings. I had the church to myself, so I had no hesitation about lying on the floor so I could really take in the amazing images. As you can imagine, the motion sensor turned the lights off after a while, but that just added to that precious off-the-beaten-path experience.
My walking guidebook use is limited, but when I have used one, what has mattered most are clear directions that match what I can see on a map, suggested places to stop for tea, ice cream, and/or drying off, and those “don’t miss” tips that keep my eyes open and roaming rather than focused only on the navigation. For a long-distance walk, I also appreciate the option of breaking it into segments to fit the capabilities of my knees as they are now, not as they were 15 years go.
You sound as if you have already explored places off the beaten trail. St Mary’s church is a hidden gem that few discover.
On Mull there are a few bus routes from Craignure and Tobermory, which give access up the east coast (including Fishnish pier, with ferry to Lochaline and nearby wildlife hide) and to some of the west coast: Dervaig, Salen, Ulva pier (where a request ferry takes you to the community-owned island of Ulva), as well as across the south to Fionnphort for Iona.
I’ve so enjoyed getting to know you over the past few months Felicity, and it’s a joy seeing the background to your research. I have always enjoyed local guidebooks, they often start my love affair with an area, especially when we had young children with us, and although I know some areas quite well now like Mull and Iona, there are always snippets that one can discover, or a wee gem of history to be explored. There are moves afoot to open the Kintyre 66 more widely, and whilst I like some of the thoughts behind it, and it would probably be good for my gallery business, I would mourn the additional casual visitors to my beloved quiet, off the main routes home. Still, I’d not be the one to hold back change, and this area used to have a huge tourist industry back in the day, so why not again. (Eeek)
Thank you Sarah. I’ve also enjoyed getting to know you, but I hadn’t picked up that you had a gallery. I must visit if I’m down your way. My next destination is back to Mull.
It’s strange how some places fall off the tourism map while others become saturated. I don’t think social media helps. There are a few honeypots (not really any ‘better’ than many places in Scotland) where you can’t move for visitors taking selfies with the iconic view/waterfall/castle as a backdrop.
You’re right to highlight the question of remote areas that may in many people‘s eyes already get too much traffic, but the question is how far a walk guidebook promotes an area as such, and how far it just appeals to people who are already considering that area. Do people pick up your book and then decide on that basis to head for the NC 500, or do people who’ve already decided on the NC 500 pick up your book afterwards ? In that case you’re not so much boosting general vision numbers as promoting a more responsible and sustainable approach.?It’s definitely an open question.
I know that in my experience in areas like the Lake District it’s highly unlikely that a new walks guidebook is going to add significantly to overall visitor numbers, and the question becomes where do you direct people within that area? People are always going to want the honey pots, but I’ve always tried to encourage people to look beyond the obvious to areas which may be rewarding in different ways. I’ve also pretty consistently—from my very first guidebooks onward—made a point of promoting the use of public transport wherever possible.
Having said that I have also chosen not to mention one or two special places which feel too fragile and too sensitive to encourage significant numbers of new visitors. I’m thinking of one in particular and yours in the ******* Fells which I’ve never described in print, though it’s an exquisite spot. However if you want to contact me directly, Felicity, you can have the location.
I’ll have to look for your two newest the next time I’m in Scotland, which will be in November, Dia toilich, especially since I’m planning a return trip to Iona for next year and have long endeavored, as an occasional Iona pilgrim, to give Mull its due rather than just race from ferry to ferry. The big book sounds like a delight as well, as I have tended to return to my favorite spots (Iona, Orkney, the Tay) and know there is much more to enjoy.
As I no longer drive in the UK, I really appreciate your giving consideration to routes accessible by public transport. A couple of years ago, I enjoyed a well marked walk from Kippen, where I was staying a few days, to Gargunnock in a November rain, but there was that lovely gastro pub at the destination end, a fire to dry me out, and a bus to take me back up the hill to Kippen. Pretty much a perfect Scottish day.
Another time, I was staying at the Inn on the Tay in Grandtully — a great base and accessible by bus from Dunkeld — and had the bus drop me off at the Dewar’s distillery east of Aberfeldy. On my return walk, I saw red squirrels and all manner of waterfowl and detoured to the exquisite St Mary’s church, with its painted ceilings. I had the church to myself, so I had no hesitation about lying on the floor so I could really take in the amazing images. As you can imagine, the motion sensor turned the lights off after a while, but that just added to that precious off-the-beaten-path experience.
My walking guidebook use is limited, but when I have used one, what has mattered most are clear directions that match what I can see on a map, suggested places to stop for tea, ice cream, and/or drying off, and those “don’t miss” tips that keep my eyes open and roaming rather than focused only on the navigation. For a long-distance walk, I also appreciate the option of breaking it into segments to fit the capabilities of my knees as they are now, not as they were 15 years go.
You sound as if you have already explored places off the beaten trail. St Mary’s church is a hidden gem that few discover.
On Mull there are a few bus routes from Craignure and Tobermory, which give access up the east coast (including Fishnish pier, with ferry to Lochaline and nearby wildlife hide) and to some of the west coast: Dervaig, Salen, Ulva pier (where a request ferry takes you to the community-owned island of Ulva), as well as across the south to Fionnphort for Iona.
I’ve so enjoyed getting to know you over the past few months Felicity, and it’s a joy seeing the background to your research. I have always enjoyed local guidebooks, they often start my love affair with an area, especially when we had young children with us, and although I know some areas quite well now like Mull and Iona, there are always snippets that one can discover, or a wee gem of history to be explored. There are moves afoot to open the Kintyre 66 more widely, and whilst I like some of the thoughts behind it, and it would probably be good for my gallery business, I would mourn the additional casual visitors to my beloved quiet, off the main routes home. Still, I’d not be the one to hold back change, and this area used to have a huge tourist industry back in the day, so why not again. (Eeek)
Thank you Sarah. I’ve also enjoyed getting to know you, but I hadn’t picked up that you had a gallery. I must visit if I’m down your way. My next destination is back to Mull.
It’s strange how some places fall off the tourism map while others become saturated. I don’t think social media helps. There are a few honeypots (not really any ‘better’ than many places in Scotland) where you can’t move for visitors taking selfies with the iconic view/waterfall/castle as a backdrop.