Faintheart

Seasoned journalist and writer Charles Jennings goes in search of the contradictions cliches and surprises that make up a land that is singular in its clearly-held identity cherished even by those with less than a second-cousin's-cat-once-removed claim to Scottish heritage. Stomping the quintessential Highlands from Inverness to Skye ('those names! Pitlochry! Crianlarich! Somewhere between hawking and groaning in pain') and risking frozen extremities to reach breathtaking Hebridean islands he discovers a land of awe-inspiring beauty. And then travels city-wards to reach a nation of awe-inspiring iron(bru)-clad stomachs - from the legendary deep-fried Mars Bar to the underrated and delicious haggis classic oatcake and fine whisky.
Contemplating whether his great grandfather's legacy qualifies him to shed a tear at the sound of bagpipes Charles Jennings compares the elegance of Edinbugh with the industrial action of Aberdeen risks a pint in Kelvinside and sinks into the peaty bogs of Mull.