I’m biased. In my mind few travel guides come close to, and certainly none surpass, the Lonely Planet series (for the record, I don’t work for them). The information is clearly presented, logically ordered and geared towards my mode of operation (go cheap, go often, go off-the-beaten track). When I discovered their walking series, I was over the moon. Walking in Scotland is one of their 2007 updates and in no time had me drooling over Munros and Corbetts.

Open the cover and readers are immediately dazzled by brilliant blue skies and good news – “Scotland’s reputation for bad weather is largely mythical; across the country, more days are fine than foul…” The book continues with a table of the 66 walks found in the book – listing the name of the hike, duration, difficulty (easy, moderate, demanding), best time (Apr-Oct, year round…), transport (bus, ferry, train, private) and a brief summary (“a low-level walk across two dramatic passes…”). It’s the perfect place to start for those readers fishing for quick answers to their questions.

There are a few pages of planning tips and environmental overview before the bulk of the book – walk descriptions (Coasts, Climbs & Canals). Each description includes an overview map, planning notes, maps worth taking along, directions for getting to/from the hike and trail details.

It might take readers a few minutes to become accustomed to the vernacular – “some [bothies] are used by shepherds and stalkers…” Rest easy, it actually refers to huts and deer hunters. The glossary in the back comes in handy and before long you’re setting your sights on becoming a Munro bagger (someone who means to reach the top of a mountain over 3000 feet) as opposed to a mere Corbett (hill or mountain between 2500 and 2999 feet high) climber.

Two small nits are the paucity of photos (lumped together in the first few dozen pages) and miniscule trail maps – but it’s balanced by the knowledge that if I was lugging this guide along on a hike, I’d appreciate the concern for my pack weight!

It’s no surprise then, that I think Walking in Scotland fulfills the Lonely Planet tradition of producing info-packed, useable guidebooks. Now if I could convince my family to bump up the trip to Scotland!