With kind permission from the Stornoway Gazette, here’s a short article which appeared last week by Sheena MacKenzie:
The Outer Hebrides – Sea Kayaking Around The Isles & St Kilda by Robert Emmott, Tim Pickering and Mike Sullivan is a brilliant guide to local kayaking routes. Simple explanations and helpful maps make it an excellent choice for kayaking novices the Outer Hebrides, with safety advice and information about the environment and access rights. However, its appeal is not limited to those interested in water sports. Being one of those people myself, I found the book full of fascinating information about the history and beauty of the Islands.
One of the authors, Mike Sullivan, said: “We feel the book is a unique guide for the Outer Hebrides not just for kayakers but for those who love the Islands and especially the coast around it. “We tried to get the balance of good information, history and stories from particular places as well as capturing dramatic images for each of the trips described. There are some aerial shots and images taken from the water which adds to the sense you are seeing the Islands from a totally different perspective. “Hopefully it will inspire folk to actually put the book down, pick up some paddles and get paddling!”
The guide opens with a practical map that clearly shows useful information on where the places are and how to get there. This is followed by a run through of environmental information and the potential dangers of the sport, important information for beginners and fanatics alike. A key is introduced, explaining a straightforward grading system of the difficulty level of the routes and symbols used to indicate things such as ferries and strong tides. A short, educational history of kayaking is given, and after the routes themselves are explained, the book ends with practical safety advice, a glossary of Gaelic place names and recommendations for other books.
There are 44 different routes in the book, and each one is written about in great detail. Their descriptions begin with a set of statistics, containing total distances and estimated times, plus the difficulty grading and details of the effects of weather and tides. The rest of the description conveys all kinds of information about the area, with subjects from local history to whale-watching sites, anyone with an interest in the islands will undoubtedly find something to make their trip worthwhile. The photos in the book are breathtaking and increase the excitement that the authors have created. Clear maps plainly mark the routes, with detailed tidal information on each map where it is needed and warnings on weather and hazards for each trip. There is no information to show the sites of interest, which I think would have been a valuable addition.
Overall, this guide would be a worthwhile investment for anyone who enjoys the island and its history, and visitors who want to explore the region more. The launch of the book takes place on July 5 at 7pm in An Lantair, where copies will be sold before being sold in local shops. The book is also available online from www.pesdapress.com
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