Peter Wright is the author of Ribbon of Wildness: Discovering the Watershed of Scotland, published by Luath Press, £14.99, out now.
What is the Watershed of Scotland?
Well imagine you are a raindrop about to land on Scotland – your destiny dear raindrop, is that by bog, burn and river, you will end up in either the North Sea or the Atlantic Ocean. Which it is to be, will depend on which side of the Watershed you land. Simple as that! A geographic feature in our landscape created entirely by the hand of nature, which hasn’t changed in thousands of years. And oddly enough, I am one of the first to define and describe it geographically.
What inspired you to write Ribbon of Wildness?
In the 64 days of walking it took me to complete this epic in 2005, almost all of it solo and off track, I had a lot of time to ponder what I was experiencing. I posed the question: “well, what does it all add up to?” And in my magnificent solitude, the phrase Ribbon of Wildness kept asserting itself in my mind. I found I was experiencing largely continuous wildness in this 1,200km of bog, rock, mountain, moor and forest, running from one end of Scotland to the other. Awesome! So I reckoned this would be something to share more widely, and then set out to write the book. My research all served to support this assertion about wildness, in so many different ways. Not just an abstract hunch – plenty of evidence.
What challenges did the book present?
Firstly, finding a structure – but I just used the 1,200km Watershed, as I had experienced it, south to north. Then endless research through Scottish Natural Heritage data on designated and protected areas – all 90 of them. Land-use followed, so off to Aberdeen to the McAullay Institute (now Hutton Institute), to demonstrate the Watershed’s general lack of agricultural suitabliity. The meanings of hill names, as evidence of how our ancestors viewed these heights, was followed by literary references. All these, and so much more were the challenges, but all of it great fun to ponder, explore and get down on paper. But as an environmental book, or one about landscape of this feature, it had never been done before.
How long did it take to complete?
It took about 2 years to research, write, and get it into the right format for the publisher. And then another year or so to wait for publication. Patience followed persistence – but what a result!
Is there any particular aspect of the book that you are most proud of?
Yes, writing the book in the first place – I left school at 14, with not a qualification to my name. Then being able to come up with something truly original to write about and share. And finally, that I know the reader will be taken on a great journey through some of the best of Scotland, as they leaf through the pages I have written – it will open new vistas for them, give a new connectedness to their earlier outdoor experiences. Its enabled me to share my sense of intimacy with a vast swathe of Scottish landscape. Not many people get to do that.
Are you working on another book?
Yes, just completed the text and new preface for the second print-run of Ribbon of Wildness.
Started working on a slimmer version based around day and weekend walks – really opening up the possibilites for those who love to get their boots on. Probably to be called something like ‘Walking with Wildness on the Watershed’. Target 2013. ‘Waking the Sleeping Giant’ will be the theme for a children`s book, which I hope to knock into shape around the same time. And finally, with 2014 as the centenary of the death of John Muir, I’m beginning to look at how I might generate the material necesary for a deluxe coffee table version. Not short of plans and ideas.
Do you have a favourite book?
Can I claim 2 right now? Clear Waters Rising by Nicholas Crane, and Highland River by Neill Gunn.
Thank you to Peter for taking the time to answer the Geekzine’s questions.
Check Peter’s website for upcoming events and information: www.ribbonofwildness.co.uk
Andy Jamieson, Editor
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