In Undiscovered Scotland climbing and mountaineer W.H. Murray transports the reader to the wilds of Scotland, exploring the hills and climbing on ice, rock and snow. Murray, a former prisoner of war, is relishing his freedom - all the sweeter following his captivity - and we follow him on his adventures in Scotland to the Isle of Rum, Skye, Glencoe and the Cuillin as he enjoys the fellowship, struggles, pleasures and beauty which mountain climbing bestows upon him. Here are the joys of the high mountains, the sun glinting on burn pools, and the peace of wilderness evenings.
Undiscovered Scotland is Murray's second book. Like his first, Mountaineering in Scotland, it is hailed as one of the great classics of mountain literature; poetic and inspirational for any keen climber, walker or mountaineer, even the armchair kind.
'The touch of wind on the cheek, rocks, the smell of pines and bog-myrtle, morning dew and the song of water, snow-ridges in sun, tall trees and corries. Let us see their beauty and remember ... '
Eric Shipton (1907-1977) was one of the great mountain explorers of the 20th century, often known for his infamous climbing partnership with H.W. 'Bill' Tilman. He climbed extensively in the Alps in the 1920s, put up new routes on Mount Kenya in 1921, and in 1931, made the first ascent of Kamet with Frank Smythe - the highest peak climbed at that time. Shipton was involved with most of the Everest expeditions in the 1930s, reaching a high point of 28,000 feet in 1933. He went on to lead the 1951 expedition, which was the first to approach Everest from the north (Nepali) side through the Khumbu ice fall, and on which Edmund Hillary first set foot on the mountain.