Preview: Looking for Transwonderland by Noo Saro-Wiwa

My preview of November’s title in my Reading Female Travel Writers series – Noo Saro-Wiwa’s “Looking for Transwonderland: Travels in Nigeria”.

Review: Tell My Horse by Zora Neale Hurston

My review of November’s title in my Reading Female Travel Writer series, Zora Neale Hurston’s Tell My Horse.

Preview: Tell My Horse by Zora Neale Hurston

My preview of Tell My Horse, by Zora Neale Hurston, October’s title in my Reading Female Travel Writers project.

Review: Ghost Trails, by Jill Homer

My review of September’s Reading Female Travel Writers title, the utterly incredible Ghost Trails by Jill Homer.

Preview: Ghost Trails, by Jill Homer

A preview of my September title for my “Reading Female Travel Writers” mission – Jill Homer’s Ghost Trails.

Review: Black Lamb and Grey Falcon, by Rebecca West

My part-way review of Rebecca West’s Black Lamb and Grey Falcon: A Journey Through Yugoslavia. I only made it about 20% through my August title for my Reading Female Travel Writers project, so will return with a fuller review in the future!

Nationalism

A reflection on nationalism, and the dangers for Scottish politics of lumping all types of nationalism under the one definition.

Preview: Black Lamb and Grey Falcon, by Rebecca West

My preview of August’s title in my Reading Female Travel Writers project, Rebecca West’s classic of the genre, Black Lamb and Grey Falcon.

Review: A Ride in the Neon Sun, by Josie Dew

My review of July’s title from my year-long mission of reading female travel writing – Josie Dew’s “A Ride in the Neon Sun: A Gaijin in Japan” – and, sadly, the first in the series that I failed to enjoy or finish.

The road to Stroma

A series of posts about a road trip up the A9 to the very north of the Scottish mainland, culminating in a visit to the fascinating depopulated island of Stroma in the Pentland Firth.

The new John O’Groats

A visit to and reflection on the massively regenerated John O’Groats, finishing line for many long distance journeyists, and – until recently – a bit of a dump.

Stroma

My account of a day on the beautiful abandoned island of Stroma, in the Pentland Firth between Caithness and Orkney.

Whaligoe Steps

A walk down the spectacular Whaligoe Steps, 300 steps down to an old fishing station on the Caithness coast.

Sinclair Mausoleum

An exploration of the centuries-old Sinclair Mausoleum, near Ulbster in Caithness.

A brief stop in Helmsdale

A quick stop in Helmsdale, Sutherland, en route to the island of Stroma. A place well worthy of a return visit.

Preview: A Ride in the Neon Sun, by Josie Dew

A preview of July’s Reading Female Travel Writers title, A Ride in the Neon Sun by Josie Dew.

Review: Fabled Shore, by Rose Macaulay

My review of June’s title in my Reading Female Travel Writers series – Rose Macaulay’s beautiful if plodding Fabled Shore.

Preview: Fabled Shore, by Rose Macaulay

My preview of June’s Reading Female Travel Writers title, Fabled Shore by Rose Macaulay.

Review: Among Muslims, by Kathleen Jamie

My review of May’s title in my Reading Female Travel Writers series – Kathleen Jamie’s Among Muslims.

Pressing concerns

A reflection, in the light of press behaviour following the Manchester bombing, on “death knocking”, standards in our press and what we can do to make our newspapers better.