No comments about Illustrated Edinburgh Map (Collins British Isles and Ireland Maps).

No comments about Special Places to Stay: Scotland (Special Places to Stay).

1 comments about The Traveller's Guide To Fairy Sites: The Landscape And Folklore Of Fairyland In England, Wales And Scotland.

1. This book is simply a MUST for anybody interested in fairies. It wonderfully detailed, with old folklore and real acounts from all over England, Wales, and Scotland, and is filled with pictures and drawings of the exact place where the sighting happened. It even gives precise directions on how to get there.
   
   The only thing that I believe that should have added, was sightings from Ireland, as Ireland is well known for their fairy sighting and lore.

4 comments about The Great Glen Way 3rd Edition.

1. Scotland's newest long distance path, the 73 miles/117km long Great Glen Way, links Fort William on the west coast and Inverness on the east coast, and leads walkers through some of Scotland's finest scenery. Highlights include views of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis and two days' walking above Loch Ness, internationally famous as the home of the Monster. The walking certainly isn't for tough mountain climbers - you'll follow canal tow paths, forest tracks and paths for most of the distance.
   An ideal companion is Jacquetta Megarry's 64 page, full colour, beautifully illustrated guide, published by Rucksack Readers. It's not a traditional, step-by-step guide but a guide to experiencing the way. The innovative spiral-bound format makes for easy use; it has clear, detailed maps of the whole route and the carefully designed notes are divided into five stages - the number of days most people are likely to take to do the Way.
   The many features you'll see along the way and those that you can visit from the villages en route are briefly described.
   The guide includes all the info you'll need to organise your walk - transport, food and clothing.
   This is one of Scotland's great walks and is well within the reach of anyone who's reasonably fit - and who has a copy of the Rucksack Readers guide in their pocket.



2. I just finished walking the Great Glen Way in June 06 and it was an amazing trip. I thoroughly recommend it- especially if you have no rain like us!
   
   Having used Rucksack Readers on other long-distance hikes and finding them to be very informative and useful, I did not hesitate to buy this as soon as the latest GGW edition was released in March. And I will admit, I did not really read it before we started, I just put it in my luggage and took off. I trusted it would be as good as the other ones.
   
   And what a waste of luggage space this was! I question if the author ever even saw, much less walked the route. She constantly refers to things off route- or our favourite "below you, but unseen." The majority of the photos (yes, we were angry enough that we sat down and counted) were taken off the trail at detours or other side hikes. We called it the "useless book" because what information we wanted was never there and what was there was useless to us as we were not taking extra days off the walk to see things. And the one time there was something that could have been interesting to see, the way she writes i, it is not mentioned until you've gona a mile past- and who really wants to go back? The last day when the information actually seems to be finally useful, it ended up to be incorrect!
   
   Rucksack Readers are normally really good walking guides so I am amazed they let such a useless piece of junk be released under their name. I will admit, the GGW is not as scenic and point of interest filled as the West Highland Way, but there was definitely information worth emparting. It would have been useful to be told about the hills and other terrain changes. Maybe about the trees we were walking through. Any history in the area? Or at least give us an idea of walk x miles to x.
   
   Trail gossip pretty much corresponded with my disappointing view-everyone had it and everyone hated it. I heard that the Footprints Guide is pretty good. Several people had foldout maps they had gotten at Nevisport in Fort William. That little one page map, which cost about 3-pounds, was more useful than the whole darn book we had. It's even better to walk to the trail without this book- it's well waymarked and the book won't give you any extra knowledge. Just takes up room that could be used for food- which the book fails to make the point that there is really no food en route. Rucksack Reader desperately needs to pay some attention to this wonderful trail and bring its guide up to par with its other publications.
   
   But go and walk the trail! It's 5-star experience- the book just isn't.



3. Declaration of interest first: I have been involved with this book since our first edition in 2001, and although I respect reviewers' rights to their own opinions, of one thing I am sure: this third edition, written with the help of a coauthor who actually lives on the Way and walks it regularly, is better than the first.
   
   Now the facts: this book, like every other Rucksack Reader, has a yellow panel at the start of each section of the Way that shows the distance, terrain and walking grade, with food and drink stops listed. For three days of the walk, food is exactly where it says, and for the other two days it says "Food and drink: none between X and Y" so you take a packed lunch. Anyone who says "there is really no food en route" either hasn't walked the Great Glen Way or had their eyes closed.
   
   Images next: most of the photographs were taken of or from the trail, as the captions confirm, with a few aerial/satellite images and some professional wildlife images. These include the species of trees that you walk through, and the birds and mammals that you're likely to see.



4. Not what I was expecting. Very general. All info in book was a copy of what is available on the Great Glen Web site. The map would have been much more useful with detailed info of facilities available in each town. Also distance between all towns marked on map. Disappointed in content.

No comments about The Munro Phenomenon.

No comments about Glasgow by the Way, But: Celebrating a City.

No comments about Historic Scotland: 5000 Years of Scotland's Heritage (Historic Scotland Series).

No comments about St Cuthberts Way (Map) (Walker's Route).

No comments about Karen Brown's England, Wales & Scotland, 2007: Exceptional Places to Stay & Itineraries.

4 comments about The Dungeon.

1. If there was one word to describe this book and the story it contains, it would be: dark. If you think this book has to have a happy ending, you would be wrong. I was extremely surprised about how depressing the ending was. The ironic twist at end is very poignant and - I hate to use this word, but here it is - sad. Everything you thought you knew about the character is changed with his one merciless act (you'll know who I'm talking about when you read it). Be prepared! Virtually no one has a happy ending - but somehow that's oddly appropriate. Banks tells us that life does not always end well, some people can never change, and people DO regret their actions sometimes, but only when it's too late and they've lost their chance to correct past mistakes. That's the depressing part, and it's "Small Eyes'" fate to pay for her master's acts.

   PS - being Chinese myself, I was emotionally attached to Small Eye's adventure throughout the entire story. She'll make you cry, seriously (or at least tear up a little).




2. Bruce MacLennan, a peasant elevated to Laird status complete with land and tenants in return for saving the life of his liege, uses his spoils of war to build a castle, dreaming of the day he will lock away the rival who stole the lives of his precious wife and children in a clan raid. While he waits for his castle and dungeon to be completed, he travels to China, where he purchases a servant girl whom he treats like a dog. Ultimately his relationship with the young woman is his salvation, but at a high price.
   Not only does Banks provide rich details of fourteenth century life that make present day politically correct and over-sanitizer readers shudder, she also weaves in ancient Chinese philosophy with history, culture and geography of two very different places in one time. MacLennan's obsession often makes him a hateful character, but he occasionally redeems himself, showing he is a complex protagonist, almost an anti-hero. Banks skillfully contrasts the quiet precision of the tea ceremony with the earthy brutality of war and revenge.
   The strong characters and adventure have appeal to boys and girls alike, with possibilities for classroom use. The Dungeon will provide insight into medieval times and the human character, and generate much discussion as well. Recommended for juvenile and middle school collections.



3. Bruce Maclennan is Scottish and is bent up on revenge on his life long enemy Macinnan. After Maclennan returns from his trip to China, he expects his dungeon and castle fortress to be built. Why does Maclennan go to China in the 14th century so far away from Scotland? It did sound a bit unrealistic, but in the story it was said he wanted adventure. Well if that was what he was searching for, he found it. Only, it wasn't the only thing that he found. Along with silk bedsheets,(highly rare in Scotland)Maclennan bought a tea slave . He didn't bother to learn her name, and he figured she was just a slave. This girl's name is Peony, and she is frightened to death when she is taken away with Maclennan to Scotland. She is treated like dirt by Maclennan, and she will never get to see her family again. Peony is extremely obedient towards Maclennan, and sees to his every wish, even when he throws her blows. Throughout the story as a reader, you sympathize with Peony and become more and more confused with Maclennan, as to whether or not he cares for Peony more than just a slave, or as a daughter. Also you get to see Maclennan's crueller side as a person with hate pent up inside him. His thirst for revenge made him a completely abominable character with no heart.Toward his enemy, his ideas are without remorse. His dungeon will dwell with Macinnan, and he will rule the land. In the end, cruel twists relay the truth to Maclennan about every action he has made in his life. The reader will be shocked at the end of the story, and will be moved thoroughly. Read this book, it will make you cry, or at least it will move you!!



4. This novel is a truly important read to get a deeper insight on human nature. The characters of Bruce MacLennen and Peony are complex and deal with the dangerous world of 14th century Scotland and China in real ways. Revenge and grief play a great part in the story and one can see the horrors of revenge. This is not a typical young adult book. It is terribly, terribly tear jerking and will leave you running for tissues. Read it! Although, your heart will be bruised for a while after you finish.