I bought my first copy of "Argonauts of the Western Isles" in 1989 and immediately appreciated the writing of Robin Lloyd-Jones. As the years have progressed I have dipped into it frequently, often to compare my experience of paddling stretches of the Scottish coastline with his. This was somebody writing about areas I could visit for a week's paddling with very little required in the way of organisation. This book was more than a description of what had been eaten for breakfast, how many hours were spent kayaking each day etc.

The new edition contains 5 new chapters which describe the author's paddling adventures from 1988, again in Scotland but this time he is not just off the western coast but has ventured into the northern isles. In the intervening years I have also visited Macloed's Maidens and paddled around Mousa so reading these chapters is rather like renewing a relationship with an old friend.

The appeal of the book is that Robin paddles in conditions and in areas which are accessible to the majority of sea kayakers, the only difference is that he is a better writer than most. The older chapters evoke images of a previous era. Home made equipment was the norm and driving up to the west coast of Scotland it was unusual to see other paddlers on the road. It wasn't all calm seas though, the chapter on the return from the Garvellachs describes a paddle which is as challenging as any I have ever read about.

Essentially I see this as a book of hope, as we all advance in years it is encouraging to see that there are still people out there paddling and enjoying themselves whilst many of their peers are drawing pensions slipping into inactivity. So as the autumn evenings start to draw in buy a copy of this book and seek inspiration for next year. I guarantee that you will return to it time and again.

The book is available from Whittles Publishing

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