On the Horizon
Read this article for a round up of what we’ve been working on, what we’re excited about and what’s on the horizon for the Press.
It’s felt like a slow start to the year from the perspective of new releases, but things are rapidly accelerating. In the last two weeks we’ve announced the launch of our new edition of Lowland Outcrops. This book – packed with photo diagrams, detailed approach maps and loads of useful information – presents the area as never seen before, and represents the wide breadth of climbers climbers operating in the Central Belt of Scotland. One of the unique things that Topher and the team have been able to achieve is producing a book suitable not only for those who have years of climbing experience behind them, but those who are taking their first steps outdoors too. With extensive coverage of trad, sport and boulder venues there really is something for everyone. The book will be shipping from the 18 September, and you can still pre-order using the code lowlandoutcrops to receive a 10% discount.
In addition to the above we’ve just launched a brand new project, Mèinn (translating to Ore), a new collection of writing and art looking at connections and the human ecology of the land from a Gaelic perspective that we will publish in events and a book new year. The project, supported by the Gaelic Arts Fund, Highland Bookshop, Wildland and Latitude Press, is open to submissions now with a closing date of 31 October 2023. The response to the announcement has been fantastic and we are excited to see where the project leads.
We’ve also finished the manuscript for our next biography, this time on the life of mountaineering legend Harold Raeburn. His routes can be found throughout the Highlands (if you’ve climbed in winter, you almost certainly climbed one) and his was a pioneer in the alpine and great ranges too. Work will begin on production soon, and we hope to have this book with you by Christmas. Added to that we have a brand new edition of the Scottish Mountaineering Club’s Cairngorms & North-East Scotland area guidebook in draft going through the first stage of proofing – this book, primarily focused on walking the hills of the Cairngorms, also provides insight into the rich natural and human history of the area as well as other popular activities. It’s the perfect book to immerse yourself in the region and will add real depth to your day in the hills.
Hot on the heels of these two books we have a new edition of Ski Mountaineering in Scotland well into the editing, and an autobiography of legend of photography John Cleare in a similar position. The team are working flat out to bring you these books as soon as possible.
Finally, we’ll be having a much bigger presence at the Fort William Mountain Festival in 2024 including an exhibition dedicated to Creatives, presentations on our books and creative projects and workshops where our Creators will share with you how they go about their craft. Over the next few months we’ll be launching a series of flash poetry, fiction, nonfiction and visual arts competitions, with free access to the whole of the Fort William Festival as prizes. Sign up to the Creatives newsletter and follow us on social media to make sure you don’t miss out!
Cover image: Callum Johnson on Origin of Species, Broad Cairn, Creag an Dubh-loch. © Hamish Frost.