THE HIDDEN FIRES

Written by: Merryn Glover Published by: Polygon Price: £14.99

Almost a century separates a work on a journey through the Cairngorms with the late Nan Shepherd and the publication of this work by Merryn Glover.

At the heart of both lie the remarkable and enduringly breathtaking landscape of the Cairngorms, which form the backdrop to the journey of both women.

Glover, an Australian whose family were missionaries, grew up in the Himalayas, and found her early experience of the Scottish hills left her cold. But in adapting to the climate and following Shepherd’s approach as outlined in her seminal work, she discovers the joy and warmth of wandering the Scottish range and finding herself – and her own unique identity.

The book was written as she worked as the first Writer in Residence for the Cairngorms National Park and her work in this field has clearly provided the inspiration for this new hardback.

The work and writing is deeply spiritual and rooted in a life of faith. Glover has long found peace and joy and spirituality in the hills, wherever she has lived and this book seeks to bring alive the joy and hidden spirituality that a trip to the Scottish hills can bring.

Whilst principally focussing on bringing the wild beauty of the landscape to life through evocative writing, the premise of the book is clear: the spirit and soul can be nourished in pilgrimages to places of beauty which reflect the gifts of creation.