Peak Beyond Peak: The Unpublished Scottish Journeys of Isobel Wylie Hutchison

by Isobel Wylie Hutchison, Hazel Buchan Cameron (Editor), Kenneth MacLean (Introduction)

Isobel Wylie Hutchison was many things: a botanist, traveller, poet and artist. She travelled solo throughout the arctic collecting plant samples, wrote and published extensive volumes of essays and poetry, and was - in short - one of the most remarkable Scottish figures of her time. However, since her death in 1982 her legacy has been forgotten compared with her male counterparts. Now Isobel can speak for herself again. While better known for her solo journeys across the Arctic, these essays detail Isobel's journeys across Scotland, including visits to Skye, John o' Groats and the various literary shrines across the country. Written with characteristic wit and a keen interest in both science and myth and folklore, the essays serve as important cultural markers not just of Scotland as it was and has developed, but of a woman's experience of travelling alone and a testament to the importance of cultural connection, exploration and communication.

249 pages, Paperback

First published September 16, 2022

About the author

The Scottish botanist, filmmaker, author, poet, painter and arctic explorer Isobel Wylie Hutchison was born in 1889 at the family home of Carlowrie in West Lothian. As a youngster she became a self taught plant collector and naturalist enjoying solitary walks in the countryside. She longed to travel and amongst many journeys, travelled to the Holy Land by herself in 1923, before making four major expeditions north to the Arctic between 1927 and 1936, to Greenland, Alaska, Arctic Canada and the Aleutian Islands where she collected plants, took photographs and made films. She died in 1982.

Reviews

[Dr. Siobhán · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn't read anything by Isobel Wylie Hutchison before picking up "Peak Beyond Peak" - I had missed out. While Nan Shepherd is lyrical and otherworldly in "The Living Mountain", she shares the same deep rooted love and connection to the outdoors with Isobel Wylie Hutchison. I found it fascinating to read about bits of the Cairngorms, for example, that Nan wrote about as well. Different approaches and yet "Peak Beyond Peak" was easy to read and I was fascinated. I need to really read up on her!

[Hazel · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the compiler of this book, I would highly recommend Isobel Wylie Hutchison's writing style and engaging stories which have you searching out new stories and places. She is an inspiring woman with than wonderful mix of great intelligence and wit. She communicates beautifully and this book although mainly set in Scotland will have you searching out her other works which take you to Greenland and the Arctic circle of the 1920s onwards.

[Mahaley Wise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book about traveling through the UK! Read about so many interesting places that I want to visit. It bring together cultural, language, history, and science in an approachable and conversational way. So glad I read this book at the start of summer. Now off I go!! See you on the flip side!!