Mountain Days and Bothy Nights - Dave Brown and Ian R. Mitchell, Luath Press
I recently borrowed this book off Rob (locum76) and really enjoyed it. It's a fascinating collection of tales and recollections from the time of the "Great Proletarian Revolution" in Scottish mountaineering, focussing on the oral culture of the bothies.
It's perhaps not of great interest to the bushcrafter (whatever that means today) but it is a great insight into a modern oral culture and the people who shaped many of our current attitudes to the Scottish mountains. However, there are many descriptions of "howffs" (natural or semi-natural shelters used by mountaineers, whose locations were passed around by word of mouth) that might be of use or interest. It's also a remarkable document of how much those old guys did with basically no gear or training at all - although it does note that many paid the ultimate price.
Mainly though, it's a collection of (mostly funny) stories told by candlelight in remote places. Well worth a read!
I recently borrowed this book off Rob (locum76) and really enjoyed it. It's a fascinating collection of tales and recollections from the time of the "Great Proletarian Revolution" in Scottish mountaineering, focussing on the oral culture of the bothies.
It's perhaps not of great interest to the bushcrafter (whatever that means today) but it is a great insight into a modern oral culture and the people who shaped many of our current attitudes to the Scottish mountains. However, there are many descriptions of "howffs" (natural or semi-natural shelters used by mountaineers, whose locations were passed around by word of mouth) that might be of use or interest. It's also a remarkable document of how much those old guys did with basically no gear or training at all - although it does note that many paid the ultimate price.
Mainly though, it's a collection of (mostly funny) stories told by candlelight in remote places. Well worth a read!
