Thread by @MrMcEnaney

A thread about riding bikes, writing books, and finally achieving a life-long ambition.

In April 2018 I set off on a 10 day motorcycle journey for my first book - 'A Scottish Journey: Personal Impressions of Modern Scotland'

I'd been inspired by 'Scottish Journey', a brilliant work by the poet, translator and traveller Edwin Muir.

I first encountered Muir's original in 2012 while teaching English at @ArranHigh. It's a fascinating account of his travels through the country in 1934, starting in Edinburgh and finishing with a return to Orkney (his original home). This is the introduction:

For years I'd thought a 21st century version of Scottish Journey could be great but never thought I'd get the chance to be the one to do it - and then, thanks to @LuathPress, everything changed.

Despite some absolutely horrendous weather (particularly in the first 2 days) I had a brilliant time.

A really brilliant time.

The best time.

While on Orkney (my first visit, but certainly not my last) I even found the house Muir grew up in.

And I saw plenty of other amazing things.

And I finished the trip with my father-in-law riding alongside me.

I also met lots of wonderful people like @writerkcampbell @campbell_dougie @AlisonMacleod3 @AilsaMcL @ullamuddle. And of course, Sam.

I visited @stramashoutdoor nursery just outside Oban, stayed at @Mintcroftskye, away up on the northern tip of Skye, had the best hot chocolate ever at @cocoamountain, and even got to see WW2 artwork by Polish airmen uncovered in Arbroath.

And then I turned the whole experience into this:

I decided, unlike the Muir version, to write it with a chapter for each day (a decision I'm still happy with).

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Day 9

And Day 10

Some of the things that stood out the most were little things, like this:

Or these amazing stories about the origin of place names on Skye.

But my favourite page in the whole book is definitely this one:

Anyway, if you'd like to buy a copy of the books it's available in the usual places.
ascottishjourney.co.uk

And I've got a few copies left that I can sign for people who are into such things:

ascottishjourney.co.uk/signed-copies/

@threadreaderapp unroll this for me?