The Farthest Shore: Seeking solitude and nature on the Cape Wrath Trail in winter

by Alex Roddie

In February 2019, award-winning writer Alex Roddie left his online life behind when he set out to walk 300 miles through the Scottish Highlands, seeking solitude and answers. In leaving the chaos of the internet behind for a month, he hoped to learn how it was truly affecting him – or if he should look elsewhere for the causes of his anxiety.

The Farthest Shore is the story of Alex’s solo trek along the remote Cape Wrath Trail. As he journeyed through a vanishing winter, Alex found answers to his questions, learnt the nature of true silence, and discovered frightening evidence of the threats faced by Scotland’s wild mountain landscape.

Genres: Nature, Nonfiction, Walking, Adventure, Travel, Outdoors

194 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 2, 2021

About the author

Alex Roddie is a writer of historical fiction set in the mountains. He’s spent a great deal of his life up various hills, and his time living in Scotland from 2008 to 2011 has proved an endless source of inspiration. His novels The Only Genuine Jones and The Atholl Expedition are tales of adventure based on the emerging mountaineering culture of Britain in the 19th century.

His author website is www.alexroddie.com.

Alex is also a freelance editor providing affordable services for indie authors. When wearing his editing hat he hangs out at www.pinnacleeditorial.co.uk.

Reviews

[Tony Dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

“ I think I have remembered a place’s essence until I return there and realise my memories are nothing more than shadows of reality”

Disclaimer before we begin : I’m obsessed with the idea of doing the cape wrath trail and have indicatively planned to hike it myself in a few years.

I really wanted to have a spiritual awakening with this book, I really did. I wanted an audio version of what I enjoy watching on YouTube so much, the trials and pitfalls of the trail through the eyes of the walker, and an ultimate connection with the person who’s going through the hardships. Even more than that, Alex’s tale mirrors my own life. We graduated in the same year with the same feeling of melancholy about what we had done for the previous four years, and seek solitude wherever possible.

That being said, Alex’s memoir of his 2019 CWT falls short of spectacular for me. In an audio format, the narration is really rough to listen to, especially with the pronunciations of the various Bealachs, Munros and townships, as well as the horrible take on a Scottish accent. Non-Scots - don’t try it, just dont. That being said, there are some excellent quotes from Alex, such as:

“Reality is what one pays attention to”

“True solitude is denied on a basic level, even if you want it”

“Personal interaction is cheap in the 21sy century”

As the book wears on, however, the introspection and extensive description of his emotional feelings while traversing the various landscapes, starts to wear thin. Staring into a puddle and creating a paragraph of prose out of nothing, almost like there was a word count.

It also genuinely feels like some of the stories are a little embellished or exaggerated for dramatic effect. Like the mysterious “Greg” or the chance meeting in a bothy with a fellow sufferer of anxiety. It’s not that these things didn’t happen, but certain poetic license was probably used.

Edit (when finished) - And I was right! In the epilogue he mentions that he didn’t actually have that conversation with that couple in the bothy, but this it was “distilled” from other conversations he had with friends that year. He didn’t even know the names of the couple that he chatted with that night. Sorry, what? That brings the entire tale into disrepute for me. How do we know that anything he’s written here is the truth?

Ultimately, I was enthralled with the first half of this book but I’m feeling a little disappointed by the end.

Maybe the Cape Wrath trail is something to be enjoyed visually rather than audibly. Back to YouTube we go!

[Moire O'Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything about this book detailing the author’s month-long winter journey along the Cape Wrath Trail is beautiful: from Alex’s descriptions of the wild and unforgiving Scottish landscape; to his deep and thought provoking reflections on what solitude in nature can and can’t provide; to his heart-felt connection with people both on and off the trail.

While Alex embarks on this journey to relieve some of his persistent worldly anxieties, my anxiety was for when the book would end. Fortunately he ends with some suggestions about how to spend time in the outdoors in a more meaningful, connected way, encouraging me to be more conscious about how I journey in the mountains going forward.

Best outdoor book I’ve read all year.

[Emily Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I expected this book to be entirely about the Cape Wrath trail and Roddie’s journey along it in the winter months. The Farthest Shore is much more than that. Covering the human need for solitude and disconnection driven by the relentlessness of social media and the desire to connect in a more meaningful way. It was also refreshing to read an authors reflection of his potential impact on an environment through his previous writing encouraging others to undertake the same journey. This reflection is heartening and he goes on to encourage a more meaningful connection with nature than the Instagram generation currently have.
Fantastic book, thoroughly recommend.

[Graham Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking reflections on modern life, on the trail.
If you’re new to Alex Roddie then you may pick this book up for the adventure of the Cape Wrath Trail, but those who’ve come across him before will expect, and get, much more. Read it for the quality of the writing and to follow Roddie’s changing thoughts as he eases away from the constant tug of modern always connected life and back into the challenge of the CWT in winter. Except that it really is not a great winter, wet, warm, little snow which brings out an underlying tension of anxiety at how our climate is changing, and our disconnection from nature.
In setting off on the Trail, perhaps a bit of a misnomer as it is unmarked with some variation to choose and navigate, the author is looking to disconnect from the overwhelm of constant connection, although always with the tension of wanting and needing some connection to family. The journey is a beautiful backdrop to his changing thoughts and as the challenges he faces demand his attention, interspersed with periods of meeting various people on the trail, it allows him to explore that which can overwhelm us, and to look for balance in what we want. The various characters he meets along the way bring different perspectives and he reflects on how these lead to different approaches to life.
The book ends with a Manifesto for a life which is more in tune with nature, has a more life affirming balance with modern technology, encourages us to take control and to contribute to make a difference.
I enjoyed this book and I’ll read it again (more than once I suspect) to explore its complexity and for its great writing, but if you’re after inspiration and knowledge about the Cape Wrath Trail then I’m sure you’ll enjoy it just as much.

[RunHikeBikeExplore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was looking forward to this book and it didn't disappoint. Social media often champions the notion that 'being outside will fix you', and while I agree that it may help with some things, it may not necessarily help with all things (as I know) and so I found this book relatable... the idea that being out, disconnected, will help... for a short time. A temporary relief. It re-sparked my interest in doing something sometime soon that is more long distance (though less harsh than CWT!) Inspired & inspiring.

[Philippa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this a lot. The Farthest Shore is the story of Alex Roddie's trek up the Cape Wrath trail in the middle of winter. In the solitude ensured on the trail, Alex also hopes to escape some of the sources of his anxiety, and hopes the break from social media will help him find clarity and calmness.

It's a really beautiful book, physically as well as in the writing – I love the cover, and the photos inside are stunning, helping to give life and context to some of the story. It’s also an impressive piece of writing; Alex describes the landscape with love and care, capturing the scenes around him vividly.

Any sort of 'solitude' anyone claims to find these days is generally self-imposed and arbitrary rather than inescapable, a paradox made clear as Alex struggles over whether to let a soaking tent end his expedition. In truth, I felt he underplayed the misery of some of these situations a little bit: dealing with endless soaking kit without anywhere warm and dry to retreat to is soul-destroying, and Alex has either carefully glossed some of the true misery of this or is just much more driven and committed than I might have been!

I also really appreciated that Alex doesn't shy away from difficult topics here, and for me it’s the openness and honesty of these discussions that made this book stand out. Alex acknowledges that his own writing has unavoidably contributed to the increase in traffic on this trail (a complexity every outdoors writer has to grapple with at some point, particularly in light of recent pressures on national parks in the UK), and there's a frank discussion of how the outdoors is not a magic cure for anxiety but carries with it its own set of worries which I really appreciated. He also talks about the added difficulties that him being away has caused his own family. These are all complex topics, and it seems easy sometimes for outdoors writers to oversell the value of time spent in these beautiful, deserted places without lingering over the difficulties of their time away. Alex writes with clarity and honesty, and it’s a valuable contribution to the conversation.

Overall, I found this to be an enjoyable and thought-provoking read. I'm certainly looking forward to following Alex's travels in the future and seeing what else he produces.

[Joe Eynon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following the journey of a man pained by grief and riddled with anxiety it opens your eyes to the isolation of northern Scotland and how nature can heal any ills.
The author set out to unburden himself from the internet and it’s chains but learns more about human connections and the importance of solitude with a need for community when required.
A fantastic insight to a modern explorer and adventurer which will have you looking at your maps and seeing if the great outdoors can fix you too.

[Adrian Trendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Book For Our Times……

The Farthest Shore: Seeking solitude and nature on the Cape Wraith Trail in winter
By Alex Roddie


Alex writes well and just the challenge of doing the Cape Wraith Trail (CWT) in winter would have made a good stand alone tale of adventure. What makes the book stand out in it’s own “write” (sic) is the author’s exploration and love/hate relationship with the all pervasive phenomenon of “social media.”

Social media is a Catch 22 for many, not least Alex whose work depends on and is driven by Twitter, Facebook et al. Social media can be a force for good or bad, the dissemination of information or rabid polarisation and toxic discourse. Alex asks the questions that everyone should be contemplating.
“I’ve always known that I can’t think properly when my head is jacked in to the internet, but only in the last few years have I thought to ask why.” For Alex social media is a two edged sword, a vital tool of his trade yet a time and mind sapping force. Many readers will relate to the stresses and strains Alex lives although few will be brave enough to come up with such a drastic way to try and resolve issues. His idea was to live a month pretty much off grid but, more importantly off line. He sums up social media brilliantly; “you want to know what people are saying about you. When a post gets lots of likes, you feel good and when it doesn’t, you feel ignored, a roller coaster of emotions that contribute to the addictive nature of social media.”
Twitter is graphically described as, “this mad website where people scroll for hours and compete with each other for the attention of strangers for fleeting points on some scale nobody understands and get angry for no reason.”
For safety reasons Alex took a “satellite communicator” and phone but studiously avoided the internet. So, not quite totally off grid but a fair effort but more than most people would be prepared to suffer. Throw in three hundred miles of tough terrain, winter conditions and it makes for an engrossing read.
Until the winter CWT, “genuine solitude, I realised, had long been absent from my life. Even when I managed to escape to my happy place in the mountains, social media followed me there, ruining any chance of solitary reflection or observation of nature.” I’m sure many can relate to this. I usually have my phone switched off or at least in airplane mode much to my wife’s annoyance if she tries to text me.
The book is a highly readable account of the CWT but with so much more thrown in. Bothy life, characters met and the almost obligatory “hitch hiking tale.” I won’t spoil the latter tale but suffice to say it would be worthy of a novella by horror maestro Stephen King.
Deeper issues make for profound reading and beg questions about mankind’s detrimental role in the landscape. Climate change, preservation of the land versus industrial scale exploitation from forestry to the new hydro schemes are put into context. As a writer, Alex muses about the balance of popularising places and overuse leading to their destruction; “words can create a landscape, they can destroy them too.”
On a more positive note he walks a section of the CWT with Chris Townsend who describes the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve as “one of the most hopeful places in the whole of Britain. It really puts everything into context.”
You’ll have to read the book to find out Alex’s conclusions about social media but, tellingly, at the end of his epic walk his first port of call is to Tweet his success rather than phone his wife.
The writing really resonated with me, surely the sign of an inspirational author. I could relate to Alex and how he felt different at university, to his descriptive terms of the “hate zone” and “quit zone” on his big walks. Like Alex, I met my wife via the forums of UKClimbing. He seems like a kindred spirit so, Alex, if you ever find yourself in Glen Brittle then don’t hesitate to drop in for a brew and a chat.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is not by accident the title of this book borrows the title of one of the Ursula Le Guin’s ‘Earthsea’ series novels. It’s a real adventure in the ‘proper’ sense. A true journey into both the landscape and the self, not about conquest and domination but about understanding and observation.

It’s an honest book, which touches on Alex’s own insecurities and worries. It’s also brave and thoughtful about a range of issues which impact the natural world. It doesn’t dish out platitudes and easy solutions.

With concrete description and a deep appreciation of less populated areas, you can live the trail vicariously with this book or you could use it as a blueprint for your own journey. There are helpful notes at the end, along with a ‘manifesto’ which I thought was really useful.

A thoughtful and enjoyable read, whether you’re a trail hiker or not.

”I gazed down into the pool, mesmerised, utterly absorbed, and of myself I saw only a rippled shadow reflected back – a dark mass sparking with highlights, identity absorbed by the river. A ghost in a standing wave. Perhaps that’s all any of us are.”

[Sarah Laing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very relevant and timely book on the perils of the Internet and Social Media in particular, and one mans quest to disconnect and seek solitude in some of the most remote corners of Scotland.
The Cape Wrath Trail is a substantial challenge in summer conditions, and in winter, with colder temperatures and shorter daylight hours, an even greater undertaking. At least there is no midges in winter though!

Alex is very open about his motivations for the trek - The need to disconnect from the internet and the incessant need to Instagram, tweet, share and email and the pressures this puts on a man who ultimately makes his living from being online and writing about the outdoors. He is also very open about the death of his father, and relationship with his brother and others around.
The state of the natural side of Scotland is also discussed, which is mostly a man made environment, and the vanishing winter through which he travelled.

All this makes the walking of the Cape Wrath Trail feel like more of a side note - this is the vehicle to explore the mind and our relationship with the outdoors and the need for validation in a time of constant notifications and emails. Which I suspect are similar reasons for many people to embark on long distance treks in wilderness areas of the world - to try to find out who they are, how they cope with adversity, and to disconnect from modern life.

Overall a great, well written book, timely and thought provoking.

[Hannah Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex takes us with him as he walks the Cape Wrath Trail in Scotland, in Winter, in a bid to escape a jittery feeling of being ever connected to the internet and to be soothed by nature. He is a proficient outdoor writer, and I did feel I was on the path with him. My favourite line - "The real world is moss and bark and mud and the puff of a robin's breath condensing in the air at dawn." It was his exploration of connection vs connectivity, and the human encounters I enjoyed the most. Alex talks about grieving, mental health and the climate crisis, ending the book with a manifesto that really spoke to me. It echoed some of the themes in my own book about getting up close with nature and really noticing it.

[Robin Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely account of walking the Cape Wrath Trail in winter.

A very enjoyable read about the walk and the authors thoughts about this as well as his own troubles with this modern world. I would recommend it to anyone with a love of the great outdoors and especially those considering walking this trail. Lovely prose throughout and although I am very lucky enough to know much of the area walked I think that a map of the route would be an advantage and also give all readers a better understanding of the route and difficulties involved.

[Thomas Mccluskie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to read if planning on doing the Cape wrath trail(like I am!). Look forward to seeing all the places described in the book! Gets you thinking about social media issues too, as well as environmental issues. Time to unplug and head into nature I think! Roll on June and the chance to do it for a week!

[Janneke]

'Mountains are mirrors.'

Loved, loved, loved this. Beautiful, honest, knowledgeable and humorous writing set in one of my most favorite landscapes (I have done a lot of hiking in the West Highlands and have been to Cape Wrath, but can't say I walked there). I only wish it would have taken me longer to read.

[Daniel Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the days shorten and winter sets in, this book is the perfect adventure to snuggle up next to the fire. In the changing world where reaching others and others reaching us is every present, this book gives us an opportunity to step back and reset. A story we all need to read.

[Charlie Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely personal story, soothing and sensitively-told, with interesting reflections on adventure, solitude, nature, inner-drive and demons. Offers some healing respite from the intrusive incessancy of the modern world. Definitely a must read for fans of hiking, thinking and caring alike.

[Paul McCarthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was hoping for a greater sense of effort, place and landscape. Bit heavy on social media/ mental health angle. What an amazing guy though, so resolute.

[John Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent on several levels.I really didn't want this book to end. A beautifully balanced narrative on journey, emotion and technology.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The moment I read the publisher’s synopsis I knew that I wanted to read Alex Roddie’s story of the physical and mental challenges he faced during his almost four-week-long winter trek through some of Scotland’s wildest and most remote areas. His opening sentence … “I’d come to this high, wild and lonely place to escape from my anxiety for a while, but it had followed me here like a dog”… immediately engaged my attention because with those few well-chosen words he managed to convey an impression that what followed would be an honest, thought-provoking and insightful account of his experiences. My initial impression proved accurate because his powerfully engaging writing-style held my attention from start to finish of his extraordinary story. I’m sure that a major reason for this was because he so effectively interwove his accounts of the considerable physical challenges he faced with his reflections on the changing terrain he was walking through, the very visible effects of climate change he observed and the deeply personal challenges he was confronting. The latter included his feelings about the recent death of his father, his struggle with what at times felt like crippling anxiety, his increasingly ambivalent feelings about his ‘relationship’ with social media and his ongoing attempts to try to separate cause and effect.
I found that Alex’s honesty about confronting his ‘demons’, and his sharing of the insights he developed during the course of his journey, made this not only a very moving story to read, but also a constantly thought-provoking one because many of the struggles he was grappling with felt very recognisable. It feels tempting to share some of these insights but I’m going to resist doing so because I feel there’s something important about following, in ‘real time’, what triggered the gradual shifts in perception which he experienced during his long journey. In fact, a major reason his story took me longer to read than I had anticipated was because I found myself frequently pausing to think about the internal ‘conversations’ he was having with himself, the consequent insights which emerged and his reflections on how he could use these to make life less stressful for himself.
Apart from enjoying the more philosophical aspects of the author’s writing, I thought that he evoked some very
vivid images of the ‘lows’ of his trek, of how relentlessly tough most of the walking was, how it felt to trudge all day through wet, boggy terrain rather than the frozen conditions he’d expected during February and the despair he felt when supposedly waterproof materials proved to be anything but! Equally well-portrayed was his sense of relief, and enjoyment, on the few occasions he was able to spend a night in a bothy … particularly when that included meeting fellow-walkers, sitting in front of a log or peat fire and sharing a dram or two! I also enjoyed the selection of colour photographs which were included because they offered a glimpse of both the beauty and the challenge of the terrain he trekked through. I found that his descriptions of the natural world, and its effect on him, were often affectingly poetic, at times almost spiritual in nature, and I appreciated the extra dimension this introduced to my enjoyment of reading this truly memorable book.
In his penultimate chapter, entitled ‘Manifesto’ he offers some thoughts on how we can all become more mindful when spending time walking, whether that’s in the mountains or local woods and parks. His reflections (he describes them as tips rather than advice!) cover seeking silence, noticing more, choosing connection rather than connectivity and trying to find ways, no matter how small, to protect and preserve our precious natural world. Although most people who read this book will never tackle something as challenging as the Cape Wrath Trail, I believe that everyone who does read it will find themselves becoming more consciously aware of how important it is to our mental health to find ways to consciously escape the ubiquitous ‘noise’ of our modern world.

[Andrew Terrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Farthest Shore by Alex Roddie is a rare book. It is rare for several reasons, partly for the journey it describes – a challenging hike attempted at a challenging time of year – but mostly for its honesty, its authenticity and its insights. It is these three aspects that truly set it apart.

On the surface, The Farthest Shore is a travel narrative / thru-hiking book that describes a 300-mile trek along Northwest Scotland’s vaguely-defined Cape Wrath Trail. The CWT is arguably Britain’s most difficult long-distance trail. The rough terrain and wild Scottish weather can make it a real adventure, even in summer, the time of year most people attempt it. But Alex Roddie went in winter, a season of short days and savage gales, a season when he was most likely to have the trail to himself.

It was to have the trail to himself, to find solitude, that Alex began this hike. Solitude was something he sensed his life lacked, and not just physical solitude but more specifically digital solitude. Alex realized that the ‘tidal tug’ of the internet – of social media and endless emails to read and respond to – was taking over his life, something many people can relate to. It was leading to stress and anxiety, becoming a profoundly negative thing. And so Alex took to the CWT to temporarily escape it, to carve out space to reflect on how the chaos of the digital world was affecting him, and to see if answers on managing it could be found.

The book begins with a difficult life situation that many of us will encounter, and it is written with great sensitivity, and even beauty. The situation is emotional, and heart-breakingly real, and it sets the scene for the rest of the book. It puts life into perspective, but it is the sheer honesty of the way Alex tells it that grabs attention. Alex reveals himself, laying bare his thoughts and reactions – an uncommonly brave thing to do. But for us readers, it pays off. We now know we’re holding a book of value that is worth reading, a book that won’t be shallow, a book that will be truthful, a book that will be real.

That honesty and realness permeates the entire manuscript. There is no pretense here as the journey unfolds. Scotland’s landscapes aren’t painted romantically, but realistically. We get to see the Highlands as it really is, and not as the perfect imaginary wilderness we might prefer it to be. Alex’s actions and choices are presented in the same way – not in the best possible light but with truthfulness. Alex reveals his own flaws, anxieties, insecurities and inconsistencies. It makes him extremely relatable, and it is this rare open-ness and truthfulness that plays a large part in why The Farthest Shore is such an engaging, enjoyable and fascinating read.

You can tell from the quality of writing that Alex has thought long and hard about every single word and passage in this book. Everything is here for a reason; there’s nothing that doesn’t move the story swiftly forward. Alex has gone deep, as the insights within this book ultimately reveal. There are insights into Scotland and its environment, on solitude, on the nature of thru hiking, on nature itself and our relationship with it, on connections of many different kinds, and on the internet and social media. But the most remarkable discovery and gift that this book gives is that these insights aren’t necessarily the insights a reader might have expected. Neither are they the insights Alex himself expected. It is human nature that when Alex began his adventure he had an outcome in mind. But what he found by journey’s end is evidence that this really is a book we can trust.

The Farthest Shore is a beautifully produced book that ticks all the boxes. It is an engaging ‘escape’ – a narrative that truly transports. It paints an accurate portrait of a location, and of the realities of being on a long thru hike. It inspires a reader to want to go on an adventure, too. And, above all, reading it feels like time well spent, not only because it was a good story well told, but because the world now looks slightly different because of it.

These days, there are hundreds of hiking narratives available. But The Farthest Shore is an outstanding example of one. The honesty, authenticity and insights within it set it apart. In The Farthest Shore, Alex Roddie has gone one step farther, and I for one am grateful I got to go one step farther with him.

[Alex Vogel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook, and sadly, the narration did not appeal. It was choppy, somewhat harsh, hence lacking a smooth flow. It also added the vibe of a certain naivete, which didn't exactly add to the content. As for the content itself - if you're simply looking for a well-crafted description of walking the CWT, then this might well be the book for you.

However, as the author decidedly set out to take a break from the internet and to find certain answers in solitude, the result in this regard is pretty meagre. Winter nights are long, especially in a tent, and without any digital distraction. They should offer plenty of time for self-reflection. Either Alex Roddie kept the more intriguing thoughts he had to himself, or he plainly doesn't have that much to say.

If you're hoping for in-depth ruminations on the effects of the internet and a hyper-tech world that keeps losing touch with the rythms of nature at an ever more increasing pace (or any kind of deeper existential thought) - seek elsewhere. What we get instead is 'deep thinking - ultralight' - satisfactory only for those, I suspect, who have never given much thought to anything.

Actually, the author's bottom line regarding social media made me wonder if this was actually sponsored by T*****r. And calling his short list of advice at the end a 'manifesto' ... seriously?
Yes, it appeared well intentioned, but honestly, that's the stuff for a magazine article, not an entire book.

[Sarah Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much and didn’t want it to end. Then again, I do love a book about Scotland and books on long-distance trails, so this is right in my zone!
Alex perfectly captures the magic of the Northern Highlands. He writes beautifully and evocatively, noticing hundreds of tiny details which build the landscapes in such a developed way that place you right at the heart of them.
What takes it to superb level though is the way that different themes are woven in - solitude, connection, social media, anxiety and mental health, bereavement, climate change, rewilding, etc. and that these are approached and considered in a genuinely open-minded way.
I was tempted to mark it down slightly for the passage with Claire and Seb which didn’t ring true to me when I read it, so I wasn’t surprised to discover at the end it was fiction. It did bring in some important thoughts/elements but I wonder if these insights couldn’t have been done slightly differently? It spoiled the book a bit for me to have a contrived piece like that stuck there.
Still, I do love it though. Off to walk the Cape Wrath Trail now…

[Katherine Mabey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book about a part of the world that I love so much. However the book is more about the authors personal journey relating to anxiety and social media than the actual Cape wrath walking trail. Its still very enjoyable reading but if you are expecting a detailed waking guide then you will be disappointed. The descriptions of the landscape are beautiful but I'd have liked more of them. It has however inspired me to think about staying in a bothy, something I have never done before.

[Karen Soole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the area that Alex is walking and enjoyed reading this whilst in Scotland this summer. I could easily visualise the places he described. However, I found his emotional discoveries about life and his engagement with social media a bit trite. It may be a generational thing! He comes across as a little naive and selfish at times. I strongly suspect that it is all contrived to have a hook on which to write about his walking. He doesn't need it!

[David Fleetwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. I picked it up expecting to enjoy an escape to one of my favourite parts of the country. I put it down thinking differently about how I interacted with the world around me. Beautifully written, with some fantastic sections of descriptive prose this book will transport you to the CapeWrath Trail in winter, but also make you consider your relationship with the online world and also the impact of climate change. Bravo to the author for such a bold, brave and enjoyable read.

[Neil S · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Farthest Shore - Seeking solitude and nature on the Cape Wrath Trail in winter
A delightful read. I got far more than I expected from this latest offering from Alex Roddie. I did expect a well written travel log covering a winter journey through the remote heart of the Scottish Highlands, but not only did the book deliver that for sure but also so much more.
Very well written great narrative. Alex really conveys a true sense of the toughness of the terrain, the hardship of long damp days, the pleasure of meeting like minded people, the sometimes strange encounters en-route, the pleasure of warming up at a bothy fire....etc
I particularly liked one of the last chapters, entitled Manifesto especially 1. Seek Silence and 2. Notice More. These tips don't just apply to hill walking and trekking journeys but to any local wander whether it be through the park, the canal towpath, local woodland or coastal dune or salt march. Just slow down, take time to look and listen. Watch the seasons changing, note the colours, the sounds, the smells. Become engaged.
Alex seeking escape from the recent loss of his father decides to tackle this remote generally un-pathed route. In an attempt to further leave behind the stresses and pressures of modern life, Alex decides to go even more off grid by generally foregoing modern connectivity by switching off his smart phone. Interesting to hear how he deals without connection, is buoyed by the occasional couple of bars of signal to call home and then reacts to technology upon his return. I think like all of us moderation is best, we can't do without modern connectivity but we don't need to be a slave to it 24 hours a day.

[Antony Mariani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked up at a charity shop. I remember the authors posts on UKC forums. Intigued to find more about the Cape Wrath Trail. Alex's inner conflicts and issues threatened to become to banal. But, in the end, were central to the story and I could draw parallels with the, albiet much smaller, solo wilderness trips I've taken.