A new book, Edinburgh THE WALK, has been written by Roddy McDougall and Elizabeth, and published by Mica Publishing.
This guidebook describes a “green chain walk” of 69km (43 miles) around Edinburgh. The route links the city’s green spaces and highlights the people who shaped its future and the natural forces that created the landscape.
The walk is divided into eight sections of between 8km (5 miles) and 11km (6.75miles) and could be followed as a continuous multi-day walk, or as individual day walks.
Roddy and Elizabeth are married and worked on the book together for several years. It is priced around £15.95. I spotted it for £12.05 on Amazon. (I receive a small commission for items bought through the link.)
Who are the authors of the book: Edinburgh THE WALK
Roddy is a history graduate of the University of Edinburgh and was born and brought up in Scotland’s capital city. A former journalist, he’s a keen walker and member of the Long Distance Walkers Association. He has completed more than 20 long distance walks and coastal paths in the UK.
Elizabeth studied geography at the University of Edinburgh and was born in Fife. A former chartered surveyor, she has a life-long interest in urban development and a love of city walking and exploring.
Features of the Edinburgh THE WALK guidebook
- Descriptions of each stage of the 69km (43 miles) walk around Edinburgh, divided into eight sections of between 8km (5 miles) and 11km (6.75miles).
- Each section is accompanied by details of public transport between the city centre and the section’s start and finish points.
- Fully annotated Ordnance Survey Street View maps detail the route.
- Geological, historical, architectural and cultural highlights are included in a variety of panels adjacent to the main text.
- Edinburgh The Walk guides the walker through cityscape, coastline, river, parkland and over the city’s famous “seven hills”, with wonderful views along the way.
- Starting at Edinburgh Castle, the route ends with an ascent of Arthur’s Seat and a final descent to the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Scottish Parliament Building.
Also read my blog: Running Edinburgh’s seven hills.
My thoughts: Edinburgh THE WALK guidebook
I can see this book appealing to visitors and tourists to Edinburgh, as well as locals who are keen to explore new routes and areas. So, the walking guidebook should have wide appeal.
The walk takes in urban and more rural areas of the capital city with plenty to see as you walk.
I have enjoyed some sections of the walk as a run of Edinburgh’s seven hills and I know from this that there are plenty of green spaces and country-style areas to the city.
The book offers excellent step-by-step route details and maps.
Edinburgh is an historic city and the authors have ensured the reader (and walker) is given an excellent walk through the history books.
There are many photos in the book to give the reader an overview of what they might see.
If you are looking for walking routes when visiting Edinburgh, or new places to walk or run in the capital city, or, perhaps, a challenge of walking (or running) the full route over tow of three days, I’d recommend you take a look at Edinburgh THE WALK guidebook. I bet someone attempts to walk or run the full route in one go!
Edinburgh THE WALK is also a great coffee table or bedside table book. I have picked it up many times since receiving it and read bits and pieces of historical detail. I have subsequently learned a lot more abut the growth of the capital and the people that created the progress.