Border Pubs and Inns: A Walker's Guide - Tapa blanda

Many outdoor enthusiasts would agree that the most fitting end to an enjoyable walk is an equally enjoyable pub. The author has selected 53 pubs/inns in the Scottish Borders, which provide a hearty welcome, good food and cheerful surroundings. A simple area map pinpoints the location, and there is a full description of each pub and its facilities, including opening hours, draught and bottled beers, wines, meals available, family amenities and general atmosphere; plus items of local interest and walks, with photographs and illustrations, and a glossary of Border terms. Linked to the pub are route descriptions for 80 walks, over rolling hills or fells or along dramatic coastlines, rivers and lakes on the Northumbrian Cheviots, along the Tweed valley and the Lammermuir Hills.

A Scottish 'squatter' for 45 years, I have written and photographically illustrated 11 outdoor books and walking guides covering the Scottish Borders, the Lammermuirs, Kielder Forest, Northumberland, the north Pennines, North York Moors, Lochaber- Ben Nevis and Glen Coe, Fife and Perthshire and Kissamos and Selinas in Western Crete. An inquisitive pedestrian, full time writer and photographer, I have walked in addition to Britain, Catalonia, the GR10 and HRP in the French Pyrenees, Italy and Sri Lanka, plus some 20 Greek islands and small areas on the Greek mainland. Five words 'Let's Go For a Walk' started it all. Now I am never more content or challenged than with my walking boots on, a camera in my hand, a sack on my back and a great walk successfully completed to enthuse the reader . Five words also personify what I look for to make a good walk great 'challenge, scenery, variation , history' and 'wildlife', qualities that are frequently met in all the walks. To share them with the reader there are photographs relating to the route enabling the walker to identify their location/position with the accompanying route description, maps and items of interest. I believe one good photograph is worth a hundred words.