Writer reveals how Scots peak pioneer inspired women walkers
From moors to mountains, Scottish women have a strong history of walking across our wild and beautiful landscapes. Yet for centuries, their footsteps went largely unrecorded.
In her book Wanderers: A History of Women Walking, Borders-based writer and hillwalker Kerri Andrews profiles women writers for whom walking solo has been an empowering act, pivotal to their creativity and personal freedom. “The history and literature of walking is all about men, so there’s the sense that it is therefore a male space because women have no role models or history,” said Kerri.
“But there is a long history of women walking. It held great importance for them but they wrote in journals and letters, so their accounts were not as well-known.”
A rare exception is iconic Scottish walker Nan Shepherd, whose beloved memoir, The Living Mountain, is a masterpiece of nature writing that celebrates her time in the Cairngorm Mountains.
“The Living Mountain has become the touchstone for Scottish walking. The reason it resonates is that it offers a very different way of thinking about the mountains.
“I don’t think it’s a coincidence that it’s written by a woman walker who talks about eschewing the summit, preferring to dive into the deep corners, the secret places and inner recesses of the Cairngorms.
“She’s not conquering the mountain but entering into it, which is a refreshing perspective.”
Whether hiking through the Cairngorms or bagging Munros (she’s on 127 so far), Kerri is proud to follow in the footsteps of inspirational women walkers like Nan Shepherd. She says walking remains an empowering act for women.
“Shepherd writes about the companion’s path, tracks and traces left by other walkers,” said Kerri. “Walking solo, you’re never really alone because you’re following the footprints of those who’ve gone before you.
“Especially for women walkers, the idea of being accompanied by other women who have walked your path is quite powerful.”