The first thing to say about Northern Horizons is it’s a beautiful book. The large, hard-back book is filled with superb photography. I also like that it’s not a “best of” or a list-style book of challenges. Rather, Will has written about some of his favourite running adventures in Cumbria and Scotland and each one is a mini essay rather than a step-by-step guide.
Will writes well and the descriptions include, where relevant, information about history, wildlife, landscapes and his feelings. Sometimes he wryly consdiers why anyone would want to explore rugged mountains, off-path and amid ticks and midges.
If you know, you know!
There are 23 routes in total and the reader is led from the start to finish of a run but without the description feeling prescriptive. Among the routes, there are those I have enjoyed myself and I liked reliving them, while there are others I have ambitions to do.
At the end of each chapter, route has a map – not an OS map – and stats, as well as some technical tips, if you want to follow in Will’s footsteps.
Who is Will Herman?
Will, who lives in Lancashire and grew up in West Cumbria, has spent much of his life exploring and piecing together some of the finest journeys among high plateaux, bladed ridges, sweeping slabs, towering pinnacles – and the myriad landscapes connecting them.
He used to be a keen climber and completed many classic climbs at home and abroad. He also enjoys kayaking and has circumnavigated all the major Scottish islands and completed many other challenging trips, including rounding Cape Wrath and Whiten Head, and crossing the Minch from Uig on Skye to North Uist. However, it’s running that is clearly his first love.
A member of Clayton-le-Moors Harriers, Will completed a Bob Graham Round in 2019 before turning his attention once again to Scotland and a new project, gathering his experiences from a lifetime among the hills and on the sea to produce Northern Horizons in partnership with Scottish Mountaineering Press.
Buy Northern Horizons
It’s a book I will treasure and now doubt pick up and browse many times over. There is a lot of great reading and many amazing photos. The book will sit on our living room table for friends to browse when they visit, too.
The book is priced £35. See Scottish Mountaineering Press. You can also buy on Amazon. (I receive a small commission for sales through Amazon – and that helps to pay for this website.)