From the TGO stable comes WALKWISE, a magazine aimed at Scots Walkers (or walkers who reside in Scotland). I thought that coming from the same publisher as TGO, and with Cameron McNeish as editor it would be a fairly decent read. Where TGO rivals Trail, I thought this would be a sort of Scots version of Country Walking, which I find is very English oriented. Unfortunately I was extremely disapointed. Poor quality paper, filled with city walks (I pity any unknowing soul who goes for a nice walk to Maryhill!) and restaurant guides.What could have been a few good articles if extended are packed in to too little space and the maps are useless! There are a few good articles, Camerons being one, but the whole thing comes across as very "preachy", dropping health tips in such as "Eat Oranges- they're good for you" or " Take a snack while you are walking". It's probably aimed at the newer or inexperienced walker, but it can come across as very patronising and could be dressed up better. Oh, and an aricle about Carol Smillie walking her dog. All in all, it comes across as a sort of in house corporate publication, very dry and not much to recommend it. not one I'll be buying in future.
I thought TGO was a magazine aimed at Scots walkers???
(only kidding!) :-p I thought the article on Eryri (Snowdonia to you) was well presented and quite accurate (e.g. no grossly mis-spelt names.). Even the similar one by Trail was good, though they were a little rich claiming to have presented the first list for Snowdonian hills - and a lousy one at that (they could have gone the interesting way and included lower height Marilyns below the magic imperial 2000foot, or at least the 600m cut off).
But, pat on the back for actually doing some research, proofreading for once and having a reasonably accurate article.
While on the subject, there's an excellent little mag i recently discovered "walking wales". Very well presented, but a little expensive for you get (but not when you consider their limited circulation). It's a local publication, but is aimed at all abilities, so is a good general read.
Walkwise magazine is pretty unlikely to appeal to any Outdoors magic readers as its a Scottish Executive funded (currently free) mag aimed at those who never walk, except maybe to nip down the shops. Hence the Carol Smillie article and suchlike intended to draw those with an inkling of interest into taking the first tentative steps towards a healthier lifestyle.
Mmmm. Perhaps it's just a marriage of convenience!
There are as you mentioned some good pieces and one can always pick up titbits or ideas for shorter walks. Like Cameron's trip to Deirdre's Bower above Loch Ness which I'm looking forward to doing next time I'm passing.
But I think you have some fair criticisms of the mag too. Sorry it wasn't what you were expecting.
Subs are advertised at £8 for 4 issues with the claim "All you pay is postage and packaging costs". Being in the business I knoew it really costs nothing near that, so it's not "free" unless you find somewhere to pick it up from for free.
Fair enough - I wasn't aware of the tgo ad 'till James mentioned it; the first issues of Walkwise have been available free from selected Scottish newsagents and other outlets, although I gather subsequent issues will carry a cover price.
