When the restrictions of the pandemic hit, outdoor author John D. Burns, could no longer visit the remote bothies that are his passion. John’s latest book, The Hot Tent Diaries, tells the story of his search for another way to experience wild places. A Hot Tent is simply a tent capable of being heated by a woodburning stove and for John they have opened up an exciting new way to explore our hills and glens. It’s almost dark by the time I get the rest of my equipment into the tent and fix the storm guys in place. The tent…

In 2014 a red box file stuffed full of the memoirs of Scottish explorer Isobel Wylie Hutchison found its way into the hands of writer Hazel Buchan Cameron. Looking through the photographic slides, essays, letters and even a postcard from St Kilda, Hazel was entranced and began the arduous task of bringing the voice of one of Scotland’s most remarkable figures back to life. Born 30 May 1889, Isobel Wylie Hutchison was many things: A botanist, explorer, poet and artist, she travelled solo throughout the arctic collecting plant samples, wrote and published extensive volumes of essays and poetry, and was –…

High anxiety causes heart palpitations that frighten me as I lie in bed at night. Sleep doesn’t come easily (but to be fair, it never has). I’m waiting for my fifth, and final, annual breast clinic check at hospital. My attitude is a little devil may care in the build up to these appointments – I can’t seem to help it. I burn through days on a million mile an hour program of distraction, but all that achieves is exhaustion, tearfulness and emotional chaos (mixed in with an unhelpful dose of self-loathing for not being in control). I have lots…