Taking the High Road Across Scotland
A Post-retirement Stroll from Glasgow to Inverness
by Peter Teasdale

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Highland cattle are very photogenic, but you have to look out for those long, curvy horns. After a longer than anticipated break due to COVID-19, in September 2022, almost four years after they began their Coast to Coast Walk across England—and coincidentally, the time of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing—Peter and Shelley Teasdale embarked on their second post-retirement UK foot trek, this time in Scotland. For nearly two weeks, the couple walked northeast about two hundred miles from Glasgow to Inverness on the West Highland Way and Great Glen Way; they were accompanied on the last leg by their own local guide, son Matthew, who lives in England near the Scotland border. Lessons learned and project management principles applied to their first walk were used to plan and implement this subsequent journey. As well as describing the daily regimens required for this challenging walk in all kinds of weather and terrain, Taking the High Road Across Scotland is chock-full of interesting details about Scottish history, culture, folklore, food, and more. Inspired by the travel books—and more specifically—the observational humour of Bill Bryson, Paul Theroux, and Tony Hawks, Peter documents their Scotland experiences with witty insight, bringing charm to this second installment of their Golden Years walking adventures.

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After obtaining a law degree from the University of Alberta, Peter Teasdale worked for the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service for forty-five years before retiring in 2018. He and his wife Shelley have significant project management experience, and these techniques have continued to come in handy in a long-distance walking context. Peter was born near Hadrian’s Wall in Northern England, so he deems himself close enough to Scottish to write about the country with affection. Peter and Shelley split their time between Edmonton, Alberta, and Kelowna, British Columbia, escaping in the winters to destinations with warmer climates, including Panama, Mexico, and Hawaii. The couple also love to spend time with their son Matthew and daughter-in-law Rachel, who live in Newcastle, England, which is on the border with Scotland. When he isn’t walking, Peter enjoys reading, writing, tennis, squash, pickleball, golf, e-biking, and travelling, especially in winter to avoid Canada’s cold weather. Taking the High Road Across Scotland is the second in a three-part travel series; Across England with a Project Manager was the first, and the third will focus on Cotswold-South.

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Contributors

Author

Peter Teasdale

Editor

Shelley Teasdale