Highland Tours: The Ettrick Shepherd's Travels in the Scottish Highlands and Western Isles in 1802, 1803 and 1804

James Hogg travelled extensively in the Highlands - in youth, herding sheep to and from the great markets; later, an established writer, resting from his literary labours. But between these two periods, the young man, who believed his destiny was to follow in the footsteps of Robert Burns and be a great poet, spent three adventurous summers [in 1802, 1803, and 1804] on horseback and on foot, by coach and boat, in the midst of indescribable beauty. Occasionally lost for words - something rare for this shepherd - he discovered glens, each more picturesque than the last and found that his letters of introduction opened the grandest doors. He described these tours to his friend and patron, Sir Walter Scott, then Sheriff of Selkirkshire, and the Ettrick Shepherd's letters give a unique insight into Scottish history, culture, social and political life. They are peppered with stimulating comments on a country and people then in the traumatic throes of the Clearances and being forced to come to terms with economic realities. They are the fresh, unrestrained, often controversial observations of a Southern Scot in a sometimes alien world, among people whose behaviour struck him as odd and whose Gaelic tongue he found incomprehensible. Highly personal, superbly honest, the comments of James Hogg make him a perfect companion for anyone wishing to explore the Highlands and Western Isles, to escape among the wind and heathers, or simply enjoy his escapades in the comfort of an armchair.