Undiscovered Scotland

 

The Rob Roy Way is a long-distance walk from Drymen to Pitlochry, co-developed by Rucksack Readers in 2001. It runs for 77 miles (124 km) along some of Scotland's finest lochs and glens, using historic footpaths, a cycleway, disused railway trackbed, forest and moorland tracks and some minor road. Many places along the way are linked with Scotland's most famous outlaw, Rob Roy MacGregor. The Way offers superb scenery, and gets you away from the crowds following the West Highland Way.

It is inevitable that any detailed guide to a long distance walk can become out of date over time: and it is a commendable sign of Rucksack Readers' commitment to the Rob Roy Way that this is the 3rd Edition to have been published of this guide. The new edition closely follows the format of earlier editions, but brings route directions bang up to date, and is the first to have been published since the route was waymarked in 2012.

This is one of a range of books produced by Rucksack Readers in their very distinctive style. Designed, as the name implies, to be rucksack-friendly, these guidebooks cover some of the world's finest long-distance walks and most inspiring mountains. They are tough, spiral-bound, lightweight, and, perhaps most important of all to anyone venturing into the outdoors in Scotland, printed on waterproof paper.

Each comes with a fold-out route map; covers the historical and geographical background to the walk; and contains a detailed, day-by-day description of the walk. There are also sections on habitat and wildlife you are likely to encounter en route. In addition a detailed introductory section covers aspects of planning the walk, when best to undertake it and notes on preparing and packing for long distance walks, including a packing checklist. Combined with ample good colour photography, it is easy to see why this series is so popular. To summarise, this book is robust, waterproof, comprehensive and enjoyable: an essential companion for anyone wanting to tackle the Rob Roy Way