WHISKY, KILTS AND THE LOCH NESS MONSTER

'Traveling Through Scotland with Boswell and Johnson' is the sub-title of this brilliantly written and imaginatively conceived one-of-a-kind travel book. Almost as funny as Bill Bryson or David Sedaris, it is a memoir of a 21st century literary pilgrimage to retrace the famous 18th century Scottish journey of James Boswell and Samuel Johnson, two of the most celebrated writers of their day. William Starr enlivens his crisply written travelogue with a playful wit and enthusiasm for all things Scottish, the boon and burden of American sensibility, and an ardent appreciation for Boswell and Johnson who make frequent cameos throughout these ramblings. In 1773, the 63 year old Johnson was England's preeminent man of letters, and Boswell, some 30 years his junior, was on the cusp of achieving his own literary celebrity. For more than 100 days the distinguished duo toured what was then largely unknown Scottish terrain, later publishing their impressions of the trip in a pair of classic journals. In 2007, Starr embarked on a 3,000 mile trek through the Scottish Lowlands and Highlands, following their path in reverse recording his encounters with people and places, lochs and lore, castles and clans, fables and foibles. He couples his commentary with duo's published accounts, letters and diaries to weave together a cohesive travel guide to the Scotland of yore and today in a spirited celebration of Scottish life. Chapters over Stirling, Loch Lomond, Inveraray, Skye to Culloden, Pitlochry and Edinburgh among them. 222 page very large softback, maps.