Annandale Way (2 ed)

The first third or so of the book comprises beautifully illustrated introductory sections in full colour about the walk itself, covering topics such as access, waymarking, accommodation and packing. There are then sections on farming, forestry and energy; on history; and on habitats and wildlife.

Most of the rest of the guide breaks the Annandale Way into a series of route sections, and for each gives detailed route instructions, nice photographs, and excellent full-page maps.

The result is everything you could possibly need in one handily-sized guide that fits perfectly, as the name suggests, into your rucksack. This is an essential book for anyone considering walking the Annandale Way: or for anyone who fancies tackling a walk that not all of their friends will already have done.

-- Undiscovered Scotland

The route descriptions are detailed, allowing the walker to follow turn-by-turn instructions, and are accompanied by copious photographs, mostly by Lynne Kirton, and clear maps at a scale of 1:44,000, a number you won’t find on your compass romer but presumably chosen to fit the book’s format …

There are descriptions for the two alternatives where the route splits, with options to follow the way via Lochmaben or Lockerbie, and there are also brief extra route notes for anyone wanting to follow the Annandale Way south to north.

The Annandale Way would make an ideal first route for a novice long-distance, multi-day walker. The countryside and terrain are not too taxing but are varied enough to sustain interest. The Annan isn’t a particularly long river, and there’s satisfaction to be had in following its full length from source to sea.

Turnbull and Megarry’s guidebook is comprehensive and easy to use, with its ringbound format making it convenient for on-the-route reference and its size and use of rainproof paper helpful for slotting into the walker’s rucksack for guidance along the way.

-- Bob Smith * Editor, Grough magazine *

This guide has everything you need to walk the Annandale Way … With seven pages of maps along with information about wildlife, transport links, accommodation, food and drink stops, all in a rucksack-friendly format, it’s guaranteed to hold up on even the dreichest of days.

-- Scottish F