This week, 19-25th November 2018 is Book Week Scotland. The aim of the week is to celebrate books and reading, which takes place every November.
There are many books and reading events planned around the country throughout the week, including some online and social events.
As part of the week, I thought it would be a great opportunity to share some titles from my personal paddling library, to highlight some shopping ideas for yourself or that paddler in your life.
With Black Friday Sale also happening later this week, and Christmas coming up very soon, I hope these recommendations may be of value.
The Scottish Bothy Bible
Within the wilds of Scotland lies a network of bothies. This book gives an in-depth guide on routes, descriptions, hillcraft and history of these free to stay in retreats. Great for helping to plan your next wild adventure as many bothies are accessible by touring craft too.
Author – Geoff Allan
Pages – 304
Price – £16.99
Publisher – Wild Things Publishing
ISBN – 9781910636107
Weblink – http://www.wildthingspublishing.com/product/scottish-bothy-bible/
Canoe & Kayak Games (4th Edition)
As fun as formal paddling is, there’s a lot to be said for challenging kids of all ages to partake in skills through games and silliness. Adults and children alike will benefit from the out of the box (or boat) thinking/coaching, which will enhance paddlers personal abilities, and definitely expand the skills toolbox of all levels of coach.
Author – Dave Ruse & Loel Collins
Pages – 160
Price – £14.95
Publisher – Rivers Publishing UK
ISBN – 0955061407
Weblink – https://www.cordee.co.uk/Canoe-and-Kayak-Games-det-0-0-0-5317.html
The Art of Stand Up Paddling
There are very few books and resources written on the art of stand up paddling. Falcon Guides have a wide range of paddling guidebooks and although this guide was originally published in 2012 by The Globe Pequot Press, this edition is full of the sports history, great images, sequences and lots of technical knowledge.
If you love SUP’ing, you’ll definitely enjoy this book!
Author – Ben Marcus
Pages – 340
Price – £24.95
Publisher – Falcon Guides
ISBN – 9781493008322
Weblink – http://www.falcon.com/book/9781493008322
The Scottish Islands (Fully Revised Edition)
All sea kayakers enjoy Scotland’s West coast. There are many guidebooks, coaching and navigation books on the subject of paddling, but this book, full of rich history, facts, maps inserts and illustrations clearly fills the gap in the sea kayakers knowledge and enhances all sea adventures.
Worth every penny, this book should be on all West coast paddlers or sailers bookshelf!
Author – Hamish Haswell-Smith
Pages – 518
Price – £ 30.00
Publisher – Canon Gate
ISBN – 978 1 84767 277 3
Sea Kayak Navigation
Although branded as a sea kayakers navigation book, this practical guide is suitable for open canoeists, stand up paddlers and those who enjoy kayak fishing. The book clearly explains to readers the principles of sea navigation, use of maps & charts, buoyage & lights, using a compass, effects of wind & tide, open crossings, trip planning and much more.
This book is essential in educating all paddlers to the environmental & planning side of paddling, rather than the physical & practical side as many other titles out there cover.
Author – Franco Ferrero
Pages – 112
Price – £9.99
Publisher – Pesda Press
ISBN – 9781906095031
Weblink – https://www.pesdapress.com/index.php/product/sea-kayak-navigation/
Discover Kayak Fishing
What’s better when kayaking than at the same time being able to catch your own dinner. This book introduces the wide range of skills required to fish from a kayak. Andy introduces paddlers to kayak fishing safety, outfitting, seamanship & paddling skills required for your craft. Skills can be easily transferred to other suitable fishing craft including sea kayaks and open canoes, although most kayak fishermen prefer to use sit on top style kayaks as focused on within this title.
Author – Andy Benham
Pages – 144
Price – £11.95
Publisher – Pesda Press
ISBN – 9781906095222
Weblink – https://www.pesdapress.com/index.php/product/discover-kayak-fishing/
Canoeing (2nd Edition)
Originally published in 2011, Ray’s book simply titled “Canoeing” was a hit. Requiring a reprint due to demand in 2015, Ray took the opportunity to further improve the title in this second edition. Covering subjects from the traditional canoe, portaging & transport, paddling environments, strokes, traditional canoe skills, safety & journeying, this book is simply the new testament for all open boaters.
I’m lucky enough to have both editions signed by this canoeing character himself!
Author – Ray Goodwin
Pages – 256
Price – £17.99
Publisher – Pesda Press
ISBN – 9781906095543
Weblink – https://www.pesdapress.com/index.php/product/canoeing/
See Scottish Book Trust website for more details –