The Write Stuff

THERE’S a distinct wintry feel about your favourite magazine this month – and it’s not just because the clocks have gone back and the dark nights are here. Your nature columnist, Jim Crumley, muses on the first snows of the season in another beautifully written piece. Kenny Macaskill, meanwhile, brings you the fascinating story of the courageous Victorian-era Scots explorers who voyaged to Antarctica, a tale that’s bound to bring a seasonal chill.

While some mourn the end of summer, I really look forward to winter – it’s when Scotland’s hills feel like mountains and some proper adventures can be had.

But it’s not just for the outdoors that I love this time of year. The start of winter also heralds the arrival of one of the most vibrant and fun book festivals in Scotland – A Write Highland Hoolie!

Held in Mallaig (pictured above) from November 8-10, the fantastic event is now in its fourth year. The Scots Magazine is the festival’s official media parter and we’re proud to support the event.

In this magazine, our book correspondent Dawn Geddes brings you fabulous interviews and a rundown of the highlights of this exciting festival, all starting on page 20.

And of course, we’ll be there too, so if you’re planning on heading to the Mallaig event, make sure you look us up to say hello.

I’ll be attending the festival to give a talk on the Sunday morning. The subject is – what else? – hills, climbing and my book Explore The Munros.

Which brings me neatly to a rather shameless plug… if you’d like to buy a copy of Explore The Munros, you’ll find it in our shop at www.dcthomsonshop.co.uk/explore-the-munros. It’d make the ideal Christmas present!

See you in Mallaig.