Blog
What I’ve been reading this week, 20 September 2020
Saving British farming, managing tourism, reforming the outdoor economy, and juggling time and words. Environment and nature How to save British farming (and the countryside) — this is a fascinating piece about one possible future for agriculture in Britain. ‘We can’t pretend farming is just a productive industry, because it
Introducing Wanderlust Europe: Europe’s best trails
Today I’m pleased to announce the publication of a new book, Wanderlust Europe, which I co-edited with gestalten. Over the last year, I’ve been working on something special with the team at German publisher gestalten. They approached me in September 2019 with a simple request: would I like
What I’ve been reading this week, 29 August 2020
Swimming in Britain’s deepest lake, a Cairngorms photo story, do climbers read, and better kit doesn’t improve your pictures. Environment and nature Hundreds of Trees Burned at Big Basin Redwoods State Park — ‘Some trees were still smoldering, some were missing their crowns, and others’ trunks had been felled
Writing (two) books during the pandemic
It’s a hell of a time to be an outdoor writer, isn’t it? Since the COVID-19 pandemic kicked off early this year, I have written not one but two books. Here’s a little about how it’s been. At the best of times, I’m a slow
What I’ve been reading this week, 15 August 2020
Reclaiming the silence, golden eagles, deep work tents, and what you really wanted to say. Environment and nature Reclaiming the Silence — a fantastic piece from Julie Coldwell about the bitter waking up after the end of lockdown. ‘During this unexpected peace, many of us woke up to the realization that
What I’ve been reading this week, 8 August 2020
Mountain hares bear the brunt, the grief of lost hikes, minimum-impact wild camping, and along the Yukon River. Environment and nature A visit to Rottal Estate in Glenclova – Alan Stewart investigates how the Rottal Estate is helping to preserve nature. It’s good to see estates taking a more progressive
What I’ve been reading this week, 25 July 2020
Why we must fight for wild camping, seeking discomfort, finding our legs again, and no safety nets in the real world. Environment and nature A Guide to Climbing Trips in Europe by Train — at a time when public transport is being threatened by the pandemic, it’s great to see
Nature notes: recent nature and wildlife photography, 18 July 2020
Stellar invertebrates, birds, and local rewilding I didn’t post a ‘nature notes’ blog post last week, because my wildlife photography has become a lot less prolific over the last few weeks. That’s because there has simply been less wildlife out and about for me to photograph. The birds
What I’ve been reading this week, 18 July 2020
Reindeer versus mining corporations, free camping versus wild camping, and how to be a freelance introvert. Environment and nature Farmers hatch plan to return area the size of Dorset to wild nature – this feels like the future. Nature-led coronavirus recovery could create $10tn a year, says WEF – the only way
What I’ve been reading this week, 12 July 2020
Planting trees won’t save us, counting the cost of campfires, Scotland’s best mountains for landscape photography, and hillwalkers return to the hills. Environment and nature Why Planting Trees Won’t Save Us – sobering reading. What’s the point of planting a trillion trees if our climate is becoming
