The Hidden Fires
A Cairngorms Journey with Nan Shepherd

At first I thought this might just be a simple commentary on Nan Shepherd's famous book, The Living Mountain, hanging on the coat-tails of that author, but I was wrong, it is so much more. For me, this went far beyond Nan Shepherd's work, relating many personal experiences in the Cairngorms in a way......more

In responding to Nan Shepherd's ground-breaking classic of nature writing, 'The Living Mountain', Glover has crafted a unique and enjoyable contribution of her own. While the brilliant appeal of 'The Living Mountain' is emulated through Glover's thrillingly poetic writing, immersing readers in the se......more

The Hidden Fires is captivating and best taken slowly. I read it a chapter at a time, as I felt that it deserved to be savoured. I believe that Nan Shepherd would have been delighted to read it as a response to The Living Mountain. It reflects and enlarges on her themes with a wonderfully light touc......more

'The Hidden Fires' is a beautifully written book. I found it evocative, sensory and honest. Usually I race through books but found myself slowing down, savouring each chapter for itself. And, as a long-time admirer of Nan Shepherd's, Merryn Glover's text has brought fresh insight into 'The Living Mo......more

Full disclosure: My PhD is about Nan Shepherd and I've (briefly) met Merryn Glover at the Edinburgh Book Festival. I can see why "Hidden Fires" is put on the same pedestal as "The Living Mountain" and while I enjoyed the book and Merryn's personal take on the Cairngorms based on her background, I do......more