Malcolm Wylie pioneered a walk from John o’Groats to Land’s End between 1996 and 2009, along the British Watershed – in other words not crossing flowing water. It took place during his mid-life or ‘watershed’ years, and he was accompanied for parts of it by his son and other relations. Walking the British Watershed records his many and varied experiences along the 1,800 miles, including the challenges of trackless peat bog, knife-edge mountain ridges, and walking and camping in all weathers. He encountered amazing kindness from strangers along the route, and met with several dramatic moments. He came to appreciate the beauty of his country from north to south – from the grandeur of the Scottish Highlands to the serenity of the Cotswolds.

The book is written in a light-hearted manner, includes photographs and maps, and also includes some reflections on his own life over these years. ‘One of the great UK long-distance walks: pioneering, sustained, and done without fanfare for the sheer enjoyment of it.’ Dave Hewitt (pioneer walker of the Scottish watershed to Cape Wrath, and author of Walking the Watershed).